MLB.com, by David Ely

LOS ANGELES — Shawn Johnson already conquered the gymnastics world at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. She won a gold medal in the individual balance beam.

The dancing world wasn’t a problem, either. At 17, she became the youngest contestant to win ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” with partner Mark Ballas.

On Monday night at Dodger Stadium, Johnson took on the baseball world. Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch to third baseman Casey Blake as the Dodgers began a three-game home series against the D-backs.

And Johnson didn’t disappoint in her one stint as a pitcher. Clad in a Dodgers No. 10 jersey, the right-hander tossed a one-hopper that landed safely in Blake’s mitt.

Baseball always has been a sport that’s drawn Johnson’s attention. Growing up in Iowa, Johnson said she used to play catch with her dad from time to time and rooted for the nearby Chicago Cubs.

“I grew up around baseball when I was younger,” she said. “My cousins, my dad played, so I always loved going to baseball games.”

And though gymnastics commanded most of her attention since she was 3 years old, she said she tried to keep herself up to date on the latest baseball news.

So when the Dodgers asked if Johnson was game for an appearance on the mound, she didn’t hesitate to say yes.

“They called and asked, and I was in town,” Johnson said. “I said yes in a heartbeat.”

With a little more than an hour to go before her big pitch, Johnson said she wasn’t nervous — just excited. The fact that she hadn’t done any preparation for her mound appearance didn’t deter her from a jovial mood.

“I haven’t practiced yet,” she said. “But I used to play when I was younger a lot with my dad, so hopefully that will help me.”

While some celebrities use these opportunities to live out their childhood fantasies of athletic stardom, Johnson chose not to bog herself down with a fancy windup or complicated grip.  Curveball? Nah. Split-finger? No way.

“I’m just going to try to make it,” Johnson said in between laughs. “I don’t know, I’m just going to throw it.”

And with that grip-it-and-rip-it philosophy, Johnson saved herself from the embarrassment normally associated with sub-par first pitches. A one-hopper to the catcher after only an hour of practice? Just another thing to add to a long list of athletic achievements for Johnson.

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