Sports Biz

Published: Tuesday, 14 Jul 2009 | 9:45 AM ET

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You can bet on everything these days.

As evidence, consider this bet that was called to our attention for tonight’s All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Will President Obama’s Opening Pitch Be Caught or Not?

Obama 1^st Pitch Caught In Air                   -400

Obama 1^st Pitch Bounces Or Not Caught     +300

Photo by: Pete Souza President Barack Obama

For those who don’t bet, it means that the odds are that Obama, who is the first president since Gerald Ford in 1976 to throw out a pitch at the All-Star Game, is going to reach the catcher’s glove.

“Given Obama’s well-known athletic ability, I felt that he has as good of a shot as anyone to get the ball across the plate,” said Richard Gardner, sportsbook manager for Bodog, which is listing the bet.

“Past celebrities have crumbled under the pressure of 45,000 people watching them throw the first pitch, but Obama has experience in front of crowds, so I don’t think this will be a problem.”

The maximum bet Bodog is taking is $100 and 80 percent of the action is currently on “caught in air.” For what it’s worth, Bodog says that everything is off if the ball is dropped by the catcher.

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