The Home Run Derby has undergone a number of format changes since the inaugural competition in 1985.
Before it was done in innings, then in outs and now it is done on time. He went from an open field to groups of players.
But the most recent format seems to be one of the most popular. Fans enjoy the faster pace with hitters now more inclined to swing often rather than waiting for the exact correct pitch to hit.
Here’s a rundown of what to expect from the format at the 2021 Home Run Derby.
MORE: Breaking Down the Home Run Derby Field
How many rounds are there in the derby?
exist three rounds at the Home Run Derby, he operates in a support style. Two competitors will face each other in the quarterfinals, each hoping to hit as many home runs as they can in the allotted time. The hitter with the most home runs goes to the semifinals, where he will face the winner of the neighboring box. The two batters will go through the process again to decide who will pair up in the Home Run Derby final.
This has been the format of the derby since 2015 when, for the first time, the participants met in a draw to reach the final. Previously, each player was assigned a number of outs to work with, any swing that did not result in a home run was considered an out, to hit as many home runs as possible. Each hitter had 10 outs from 1991 to 2013 before it was changed to just seven outs in 2014. The top four in home runs advanced to the semifinals, working to narrow the field to just the remaining two for the final round.
What are the time limits?
Under the new format, hitters have four minutes each to hit as many home runs as possible. They are allowed to hit as many hits as they like, as they do not face a penalty for hitting and not hitting a home run. The clock starts as soon as the first pitch is launched. Players can take a time-out at any time during the round.
Batters can extend their time limits by 30 seconds if they throw two baseballs equal to or farther than 440 feet.
What happens in a tie?
There are two steps to a draw in the Home Run Derby. The first step is a one-minute round in which each hitter will have one minute to hit as many home runs as they can. If the batters remain tied after that round, there will be three swing-offs until a winner is decided.
There had never been a draw in the first four years of the new format, but fans got a chance to see it for the first time in Cleveland in the 2019 derby, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Joc Pederson were forced to do so. Battle in three swing-offs in their second-round matchup: one timed and two swing-offs of three. Guerrero eventually won with a total of 40 homers to Pederson’s 39.
When is the 2021 Home Run Derby?
- Date: Monday July 12
- Hour: 8 pm ET
- Location: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
- Channel: ESPN | ESPN2 (Statcast broadcast)
- Live broadcast: ESPN + | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The Home Run Derby will take place on the first day of the All-Star break, Monday, July 12. Fans can tune in to the broadcast on ESPN or watch the Statcast broadcast on ESPN2.
Those hoping to broadcast live can find both streams at ESPN + or fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.
Previous Home Run Derby Champions
Here’s who won the Home Run Derby in the past. Ken Griffey Jr. is the only batter to win the derby in Colorado. He also holds the record for the most Home Run Derby wins overall, with three, including 1998 and 1999, when he became the first player to win the event in consecutive years.
| Year | Player | Team | Park (City) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Pete alonso | Mets | Progressive field (Cleveland) |
| 2018 | Bryce harper | Nationals | National Park (Washington, DC) |
| 2017. | Aaron judge | Yankees | Marlins Park (Miami) |
| 2016 | Giancarlo stanton | Marlins | Petco Park (San Diego) |
| 2015. | Todd frazier | Reds | Great American Ballpark (Cincinnati) |
| 2014 | Yoenis cespedes | Athletics | Target field (Minneapolis) |
| 2013 | Yoenis cespedes | Athletics | Citi Field (New York) |
| 2012 | Prince Fielder | Tigers | Kauffman Park (Kansas City) |
| 2011 | Robinson Cano | Yankees | Chase Field (Phoenix) |
| 2010 | David ortiz | red stockings | Angel Stadium (Anaheim) |
| 2009 | Prince Fielder | Brewers | Busch Stadium (St. Louis) |
| 2008 | Justin morneau | Twins | Yankee Stadium (New York) |
| 2007 | Vladimir Guerrero | Angels | AT&T Park (San Francisco) |
| 2006 | Ryan howard | Phillies | PNC Park (Pittsburgh) |
| 2005 | Bobby Abreu | Phillies | Comerica Park (Detroit) |
| 2004 | Miguel Tejada | Orioles | Minute Maid Park (Houston) |
| 2003 | Garret anderson | Angels | US Cell Field (Chicago) |
| 2002 | Jason giambi | Yankees | Miller Park (Milwaukee) |
| 2001 | Luis Gonzalez | Diamondbacks | Safeco Field (Seattle) |
| 2000 | Sammy sosa | Puppies | Turner Field (Atlanta) |
| 1999 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Sailors | Fenway Park (Boston) |
| 1998 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Sailors | Coors Field (Colorado) |
| 1997 | Tino Martinez | Yankees | Jacobs Field (Cleveland) |
| nineteen ninety six | Barry bonds | Giants | Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) |
| nineteen ninety five | Frank thomas | white sock | The ballpark in Arlington (Arlington) |
| 1994 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Sailors | Three Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh) |
| 1993 | Juan Gonzalez | Forest ranger | Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore) |
| 1992 | Mark McGwire | Athletics | Jack Murphy Stadium (San Diego) |
| 1991 | Cal Ripken Jr. | Orioles | SkyDome (Toronto) |
| 1990 | Ryne sandberg | Puppies | Wrigley Field (Chicago) |
| 1989 * | Ruben Sierra | Forest ranger | Anaheim Stadium (Anaheim) |
| 1989 * | Eric Davis | Reds | Anaheim Stadium (Anaheim) |
| 1987 | Andre Dawson | Puppies | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland) |
| 1986 * | Wally joyner | Angels | Astrodome (Houston) |
| 1986 * | Strawberry Darryl | Mets | Astrodome (Houston) |
| 1985 | Dave parker | Reds | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (Minneapolis) |
*Both 1986 and 1989 saw draws in the Home Run Derby
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.