The anticipation for the 2024 Home Run Derby is building as the event is set to take place on Monday, July 15, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Fans can mark their calendars for a prime-time start of 8 p.m. ET, when the power-hitting spectacle will unfold with the defending champion, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., expected to defend his title.
A New Format
This year introduces a new format that promises more excitement and unpredictability. All eight participants will battle it out in the first round, which will last either three minutes or a maximum of 40 pitches per player. Each player will be allowed one timeout during this round. The top four home run hitters from the first round will advance to the semifinals.
The updated rules also add a layer of intrigue. In the case of a tie during any round, the longest home run will break the deadlock. Players can earn extra opportunities to swing for the fences, with three bonus outs given after the initial time or pitch limit. A 425-foot homer during bonus time will earn a player an additional fourth bonus out.
Semifinal and Final Adjustments
The four semifinalists will be seeded based on their first-round home run totals, leading to matchups between the top seed and the fourth seed, and the second seed against the third seed. For the semifinals, the same time and pitch restrictions apply: three minutes or 40 pitches, with one timeout.
The intensity ramps up in the final round, where players will have only two minutes or 27 pitches to make their mark, with just a single timeout at their disposal. The player who belts the most home runs in this climactic round will be crowned the 2024 Home Run Derby champion.
Noteworthy Participants
Gunnar Henderson from the Baltimore Orioles is a fresh face in this year's Derby, marking his first appearance. Henderson, known for his powerful swing, is excited to showcase his talent on such a grand stage.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has stirred attention with his expressed interest in participating, although he acknowledges the need for several approvals. "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 remarked.
On the flip side, some high-profile players have opted out. Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros has decided against participating, stating, "Something I'm not super motivated to do at this moment." As for Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, he has declined participation as well, only seeing a potential return if the All-Star Game is held in New York.
The 2024 Home Run Derby promises to be a compelling event with its blend of returning champions, fresh contenders, and new rules that add layers of strategy and excitement. It stands as a testament to the power and flair inherent in baseball, appealing to old fans and potentially attracting new ones as they witness the game’s best sluggers compete in a high-stakes, electrifying atmosphere.
As the date approaches, fans will be eagerly awaiting the final roster and bracing for a night filled with towering home runs and dramatic moments. Globe Life Field will serve as the perfect arena for baseball's mightiest hitters to make their mark in what is shaping up to be an unforgettable event.