The Rangers nominated Dirk Nowitzki to throw out a first pitch before one of their World Series games, but the recommendation has been vetored by the MLB.

All first pitch assignments must be approved by the league office.

Sources say there was some hesitation from MLB executives to not stand behind their counterparts in the NBA league office by giving such an honor to an NBA player.

Major League Baseball insists that the NBA's labor unrest had any impact on Nowitzki not being selected to throw out the first pitch.

"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."

Jason Terry threw out the first pitch in July, after the lockout began.

"[Nowitzki] was a consideration and it's definitely not happening," one source with knowledge of the Rangers' thinking said.