Simone Biles Throws Innovative First Pitch At Astros Game

The gymnastics world has seen some pretty impressive ceremonial first pitches at baseball games in recent years – a few examples here, here, and here, to refresh your memory – but this could be the best one yet.

Simone Biles of Texas, preparing to head to her first Olympics, made the most of her last few days of free time. Biles, 19, threw the first pitch before the Houston Astros hosted the Seattle Mariners on the Fourth of July, and she gave the world a little preview of the skills that will be on display at the Rio Games:

Certainly some pretty good stuff from the 4-foot-9 Biles, and it likely won't be the last time we say that about her. Biles has won three consecutive World Gymnastics All-Around Championships, making her only the second woman in history to win three total. She has already been in the conversation for the greatest gymnast of all time even without having competed on the world's biggest stage yet.

In Rio, Biles could win as many as five gold medals. Individually, she's in contention for the vault, beam, and floor events in addition to being the undisputed all-around gold medal favorite, while she also could win a team gold medal with the defending champion USA squad. The full USA women's gymnastics team will be announced after the conclusion of the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials on July 10.

More Memorable First Pitches:
-- 5-Year-Old Mini-Syndergaard Throws Epic First Pitch
-- Snoop Dogg Throws First Pitch, In Conversation For Worst First Pitch Ever
-- Famous Horror Movie Character Throws Freaky First Pitch