Part 3/11:
A key to this scandal lies in the mechanics of modern sports betting, especially in the realm of prop bets. Betting houses now offer bets not just on who will win or lose but also on more granular details—such as whether the first pitch will be a ball or strike, its velocity, and even the type of pitch thrown.
In the case of Emanuel Class, the allegations suggest that he was intentionally tossing pitches that were less likely to be strikes or faster than certain thresholds. Bettors could wager on whether his prime pitches would fall under specific velocity parameters or whether they would be called balls or strikes. What makes this dangerous is the possibility of deliberately manipulating pitch outcomes to influence these bets.