LOS ANGELES — Natalia Bryant threw out the primary pitch on Friday night time earlier than the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves because the Lakers NBA franchise for which her father Kobe starred was honored.

The 20-year-old University of Southern California pupil tossed the ball from in entrance of the mound. It took one bounce and into the glove of All-Star Mookie Betts, who was dealing with catching duties.

A smiling Natalia hugged Betts, who wore her father’s No. 24 jersey over his uniform.

Bryant was joined by her mom, Vanessa, and sisters, 6-year-old Bianka and 4-year-old Capri. They all wore Dodgers jerseys. The again of Vanessa’s learn Queen Mamba, a nod to Kobe’s nickname. Lakers common supervisor Rob Pelinka additionally attended.

Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and 7 others have been killed in a helicopter crash in 2020.

Bianka gave the standard pre-game shout of “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” together with her mom and sisters at her facet.

The Braves and Dodgers lined up alongside the primary and third base sides, with the Dodgers carrying Lakers jerseys and followers chanting “Kobe! Kobe!”

As the Bryants have been launched, Vanessa blew a kiss to the gang. Natalia carried her youngest sister earlier than handing her off and standing alone on the sphere to observe a slide present of her father visiting the Dodgers clubhouse.

Natalia was following in her father’s footsteps. Kobe Bryant dealt with first-pitch duties at a Dodgers sport in 2000.

The household settled into the homeowners’ field to observe the sport, with Bianka hanging over the fence separating the seats from the sphere for a greater look.

Fans who bought a particular ticket bundle obtained a black jersey with Dodgers and No. 8 on the entrance and Bryant and No. 24 on the again, the numbers Bryant wore throughout his 20-year profession in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers introduced a $100,000 examine to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit that gives funding and sports programming to underserved athletes.

The postgame drone present was scheduled to honor Bryant.

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