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He's on the ball! Sir Richard Branson throws the first pitch at Detroit baseball game in latest bizarre stunt by billionaire businessman

Published: 10:57 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 11:45 EST, 13 June 2015

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He may have conquered the world of business, but it seems Sir Richard Branson is yet to master the art of pitching a baseball.

The billionaire was given the honour of throwing the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers match on Friday, but looked strained as he did so in his latest bizarre publicity stunt.

The Virgin entrepreneur, 64, was in Detroit to promote a new direct flight route from the US city to London.

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Business pitch: Sir Richard Branson, 64, threw the first ball at Detroit Tigers baseball game on Friday

Strike: Billionaire Branson laughs as his ceremonial pitch is caught by a fielder as planned before a game

He laughed nervously as he took on the ceremonial role of throwing the first ball, but looked the part in a Tigers shirt and baseball glove.

Branson was seen winding up his arm before throwing the ball, bowing to the Comerica Park crowd as his pitch was caught by a fielder as planned.

Before taking to the field, Branson was seen chatting with Detroit Tigers catcher Bryan Holaday and manager Brad Ausmus.

Whatever advice the Virgin Atlantic owner gave to the pair, it seemed to work, with the Tigers running out 4-0 winners over the Cleveland Indians.

Richard Branson throws first pitch at Detroit baseball game

Advice: Branson shared a few words with Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus before Friday's game

Pep talk: The Virgin founder also chatted with catcher Bryan Holaday, whose team went on to beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0

Branson, who is the seventh richest man in Britain with an estimated £3.15billion fortune, made another surprise appearance this week when he serenaded customers on a Virgin Atlantic flight.

The businessman had cabin crew and passengers dancing in the aisles as he sang hits from Motown with the help 10 of the musical's cast.

Reuben Arnold, from Virgin Atlantic, said: 'Detroit is known as the home of Motown and it was fantastic to have the cast onboard getting everyone up dancing in the aisles.

On tour: Branson was in Detroit to promote a new direct flight route between the US city and London

Cast of Motown the Musical get passengers dancing in the aisles

'Our customers really enjoyed the surprise performance and it was a great way to celebrate the launch of our new service to Detroit.'

The Motown music label was established in Detroit in 1959 and launched the careers of stars such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.

The musical, which premiere in New York in 2013 and is currently touring around the US, will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End,in February 2016.

Branson boogie: The entrepreneur entertained passengers on board a flight between Heathrow and Detroit by serenading them with hits from Motown the Musical