Last week saw Major League Baseball (MLB) launch Home Run Derby X across the globe, an evolution of the classic Home Run Derby format. Celebrating culture and sport, and highlighting MLB’s innovation within baseball, the Home Run Derby X will bring the thrill and power of the HR Derby in an engaging and novel format to London in the first of three global series events in 2022.
Set to launch at London’s Crystal Palace Park on 9th July, Home Run Derby X will then move onto Seoul and Mexico City in September and October respectively.
Inspired by the success of MLB's Home Run Derby, four teams - the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs - will compete in this tour throughout the year, with a modified field featuring a raised home plate, rules similar to popular MVP Baseball 2005 mini games, and players, celebrities, and special guests at each stop. Each team will be represented by four individuals – an MLB Legend, a Superstar, a content-creator Wild Card and a Rookie. Home Run Derby X will be a global baseball experience like nothing ever seen before!
Now that MLB has gone public with the announcement, it’s time to let you in on a little secret: some of the British baseball and softball community helped bring the event to life at a test event held at BaseballSoftballUK’s (BSUK) Farnham Park National Baseball & Softball Complex!
So, how did this come about?
The baseball and softball community was tasked with finding the very best available batters and pitchers from within the community – those who could consistently hit dingers and pitch the ball in the right spot for batters every time. Over the course of a week in October, two dozen talented baseball and softball players, both male and female, came together to test potential formats and rules for inclusion in Home Run Derby X.
The role call of players represented the some of the best available talent within the British Baseball and Softball Federation’s playing base and included: GB Baseball’s National Senior and Junior Teams, GB Women’s Fastpitch National Team, GB Senior Men's Slowpitch Team, Bracknell Baseball & Softball Club, The Mix, Battitude, Iceni Baseball, Belles Baseball, London Mets, Herts Baseball Club, Milton Keynes Baseball Club, Croydon Pirates, London Legends, national team coaching staff and BSUK staff.
A strict media embargo meant no phones or selfies, one of the biggest challenges for the keen group – but everyone who participated will long remember their involvement in the test; in particular London Legends player Alex Deacon, who won the equivalent of ‘Silver Slugger’ for his consistent HR hitting over the three days.
Commenting on their experiences:
Joe O’Connell, representing the London Mets said, "Last year, I was one of several baseball players given the opportunity to test out the new Home Run Derby X format. It was a fantastic experience to be a part of both as a participant and spectator. Taking the most exciting aspects of the game and condensing it will undoubtedly provide plenty of highlight reel-worthy footage to promote the sport."
Amie Hutchison, representing the GB Women’s Fastpitch National Team, added, “The trial was very well run, very different to a ‘traditional’ Home Run Derby with more variety such as hitting line drives, and also, importantly, having both women and men participating together. I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to take part.”
Home Run Derby X is an evolution of MLB Battlegrounds set in Hyde Park in 2017, when the British baseball and softball community came together once more to demonstrate the appeal of our sports for 20,000 members of public (rising to a stunning 1m online).
Full details of the MLB’s HRDX can be found here and look out for further opportunities to get involved on our social channels.