Dirk Nowitzki, Dez Bryant and Other Celebrities Play Baseball for Charity

Watching Dirk Nowitzki work his craft on the hardwood is a joy, but seeing him struggle to play other sports is the greatest gift of all.

Thanks to a recent charity baseball tournament, we once again have the chance to unwrap another moment of bliss from the Dallas Mavericks big man.

Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Terrell Owens, Michael Young, Monta Ellis and a host of other celebrities converged on Frisco, Texas, on Saturday to show support for Nowitzki’s annual Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game.

Mike Bertha of Cut4 (h/t Grantland's Jason Gallagher) brings word of the game, which benefited a pair of children’s charities in the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and the Heroes Foundation.

The 13-year-old event has taken on the atmosphere of a real ballgame. A sellout crowd packed the stands, a guy parachuted onto the field and, best of all, Dirk got a run.

Granted, he needed Champ, the Mavericks mascot, to give him some pointers on grip technique.

“What do I need to do?” Nowitzki asked Champ. “Higher? OK, I got you.”

A good time was had by all, but no one seemed to be having as much fun as Dirk. It’s a small miracle he didn’t throw his back out spinning around at the dish.

We don’t know who won, but if Romo’s presence in the dugout is any indication, things probably didn’t pan out for Team Nowitzki.

Nowitzki’s day at the ballpark—and “painted on” pants commentary—is a strong contender for my favorite Nowitzki charity outing. That distinction was previously held by his diving performance at a charity soccer game in 2013.

Goofy is to Dirk as wet is to water. It’s part of the natural order, and anything different would be wrong.

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