Home Run Derby Set for July 15 in Texas
Baseball fans, mark your calendars: the 2024 Home Run Derby is scheduled for Monday, July 15, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The highly anticipated event will commence at 8 p.m. ET, featuring some of the game's biggest sluggers battling it out for the crown.
This year’s Derby promises to be an exciting event with an updated format. All eight participants will compete simultaneously in the first round, a departure from the previous head-to-head format. Each participant will have three minutes or a maximum of 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible, and they can call for a single timeout during this period. At the end of the first round, the four leading home run hitters will advance to the semifinals.
A unique twist this year is the tie-breaking rule: if there's a tie after the first round, the player with the longest home run will advance. Players can also earn bonus outs after the initial time or pitch limit, with a fourth bonus out available for hitting a 425-foot home run during bonus time.
Semifinal Showdowns
The semifinals will feature the top four hitters from the first round, seeded based on their home run totals. The matchups will see the top seed facing the fourth seed and the second seed going up against the third seed. The same time and pitch restrictions apply here: three minutes or 40 pitches, and one timeout per player.
In the final round, the stakes get even higher. The time is reduced to two minutes or 27 pitches, with each player allowed one timeout. The player with the most home runs in the final round will be crowned the 2024 Home Run Derby champion.
Returning Champion and New Faces
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the defending champion, will be a player to watch. His powerful swings and previous success make him a strong contender to retain his title.
Joining the lineup for the first time is Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles. Fans are eager to see how the rookie performs on such a grand stage. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has expressed interest in participating, although his participation is contingent on approvals from medical and training staff. "I have to get an offer (to participate) first. I'm also rehabilitating, so I need the doctor's approval and the trainers' approval and the team's approval. Of course I have feelings of wanting to do it. I think any player would. I think it depends on how it lines up with the other parts," Ohtani stated.
However, not all of baseball's heavy hitters will be present. Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Astros has opted out of the 2024 Derby, stating, "Something I'm not super motivated to do at this moment." In a similar vein, Aaron Judge has decided not to participate, expressing his intention to only consider returning if the All-Star Game is held in New York.
With a star-studded roster and a thrilling new format, the 2024 Home Run Derby is set to be a must-watch event. Fans can expect electrifying performances, high-flying home runs, and memorable moments as the best sluggers in the game compete for the prestigious title.