The baseball world is gearing up for an exhilarating showdown as the 2024 Home Run Derby is set to take place on Monday, July 15, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The event kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, promising a thrilling night for fans and participants alike.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who claimed the title last year, will defend his crown against a field that promises intensity and excitement. This year’s Derby is introducing a revamped format designed to heighten the competition. All eight participants will compete against each other in the first round, a departure from the prior head-to-head format.
A New Format
Under the updated rules, each player will have three minutes or a maximum of 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible. Each participant is allowed one timeout, offering a brief respite during the intense action. The top four home run hitters from this round will advance to the semifinals.
In the event of a tie, the competitor with the longest home run will move forward. Batter dynamics change slightly as players also earn three bonus outs once their initial time or pitch limit is reached. Adding to the excitement, a fourth bonus out can be earned for hitting a home run that travels at least 425 feet during bonus time.
Semifinals and Finals
This year’s semi-finalists will be seeded 1 through 4 based on the first-round totals. The matchups will pit the top seed against the fourth seed and the second seed against the third. The semifinals maintain the same three-minute or 40-pitch rule, with each hitter allowed one timeout.
The final round simplifies the time and pitch conditions further, setting the limit to two minutes or 27 pitches, along with a single timeout. The player who hits the most home runs in the final will walk away as the 2024 Home Run Derby champion.
Notable Participants and Absentees
While the anticipation builds, some notable stars have made their decisions clear about participating. Gunnar Henderson from the Baltimore Orioles will grace the Derby for the first time, bringing fresh excitement to the competition. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has expressed his interest but clarified the conditions for his participation. "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.
Conversely, Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Astros has opted out of the 2024 Derby, citing a lack of motivation at this time. "Something I'm not super motivated to do at this moment," Alvarez said, leaving a sense of yearning for what might have been among fans.
Aaron Judge, a perennial favorite, has also decided against participating. Judge has indicated that he might only consider returning to the Derby if the All-Star Game is hosted in New York, adding a layer of intrigue for the future.
The 2024 Home Run Derby promises to deliver high-flying excitement, with its new format and an engaging mix of seasoned veterans and fresh faces. All eyes will be on Globe Life Field as the best sluggers in baseball aim to make history and bring the crowd to its feet.