MLB revealed new rules for the Home Run Derby that didn’t sit well with fans.
The new changes will come into effect this month for the 2024 classic.
3
On Sunday, Major League Baseball announced the new rules and format for the upcoming event.
The league announced that competitors in the first round and semifinals will see a maximum of 40 shots in three minutes.
Each player will then receive three bonus outs, meaning the participant will continue to get it right until they make three outs.
They can earn a fourth out if they hit a homerun of 425 feet or more during bonus time.
The same changes apply to the final round.
However, there will be a maximum of 27 shots in two minutes for the two finalists.
The new rules mean there will not be an eight-player bracket.
All eight participants will take turns during the first round, and the top four players will be moved and ranked.
If there is a tie, the longest home run by the respective baseball players will determine advancement.
The No. 1 seed will face the No. 4 seed in the semifinals, and the No. 2 seed will face the No. 3 seed.
Baseball fans revealed their displeasure with changes to the home run hitting competition ahead of the All-Star Game.
“Stop messing with the Home Run Derby, it’s just confusing,” one wrote.
“This dinosaur has run its course,” commented one.
“Manfred is ruining the game,” added a third.
Five Major MLB Rule Changes in 2024
1. The pitch clock is reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain at 15 seconds with the bases empty.
2. When a pitching change is made, the inning clock will reset to 2:00 instead of 2:15 as it did last year.
3. Teams will only be able to visit four mounds per game in 2024, compared to five last season.
4. Defenders and defenders blocking bases will be called for obstruction.
5. The runners’ lane from home plate to first base has been widened to include the dirt between the grass and the white line.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson revealed on Sunday that he will participate in the Derby.
He is the only known player at the event.
Henderson’s 26 home runs are tied for second most in the majors with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, behind only Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
The Home Run Derby will be July 15 at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington.
The All-Star Game will take place the next day.
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won last year’s Home Run Derby.
3
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
