Mavericks' Nowitzki Better Stick to Basketball

NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki might be looking for work early next year but it is clear professional baseball will not be in his future.

The 33-year-old Dallas Mavericks forward, waiting for the protracted NBA lockout to be resolved, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday at Game Three of the World Series.

Nowitzki's toss to Texas Rangers designated hitter Michael Young was a little low although the sold-out crowd at Rangers Ballpark cheered wildly for the 10-time NBA All-Star.

He was compensating for the last time he threw out a first pitch, during the summer, after the Mavericks beat the Miami Heat to claim their first title.

My last one in July was a little high, he said. This time they told me to throw a four-seam fastball. I still don't understand what that means.

Everybody just told me (in July) don't throw it low, so I left it way high, and Michael Young almost pulled a hamstring trying to jump and get it.

This time I think he could stay in the stance and catch it. So it was better.

The first two weeks of the NBA season have already been canceled and Nowitzki said if the lockout continues into 2012 he might look at his options in Europe.

He said the prospect of a swift settlement doesn't look good.

I was basically in Europe all summer, he said. Came back about two and a half weeks ago just to relax after the European championships, which was pretty hard and physical.

I haven't really touched a ball now since the last game of the Euros, so that's been over six weeks.

So I'll be going home and start training again, get back in shape, and then if the lockout still stays strong, I've got to look into something there in January or February.

For now, Nowitzki is pulling for the Rangers to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. He said after five practice tosses and one real one for the ceremonial first pitch, he was feeling the pain.

I don't know how they do it 100 times a game, he said. My arm is already killing me.