Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Major League Baseball has declined the Texas Rangers’ request to have Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki throw out the first pitch before one of their home games in the World Series, ESPNDallas.com reports.

MLB’s desire to support the NBA in its labor dispute with players gave baseball “at least some hesitation” to sign off on Nowitzki, sources tell the site.

MLB, however, denies that’s the reason for its decision

“MLB absolutely denies that any part in selecting the first ball pitcher had anything to do with the current labor situation in the NBA,” MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. “You want the club’s input in what makes sense for them and then we talk about what makes sense for the team and a good broad-base national appeal.

“It’s a nice problem to have that you get a list of 10 or 15 names and you work your way through them. We know Nowitzki’s been at the games, and that’s wonderful. We’re glad he’s there.”

Mavs guard Jason Terry threw out the first pitch on July 22, when the NBA and its players were well into the lockout, but teams are free to choose whomever they want for the honor during the regular season. During the World Series, MLB must approve first-pitch throwers from a list of candidates supplied by the team, ESPN notes.

“(Nowitzki) was a consideration and it’s definitely not happening,” one source told the site.

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