It's quite obvious why the MLB Home Run Derby has attracted large audiences since its establishment in 1985. Who wouldn't want to see the game's best sluggers hack away at baseballs and send them to unthinkable distances?
But the derby has had one consistent problem over the years: its length. Take last year, for example. ESPN's telecast included Chris Berman's signature “back, back, back,” home run call for more than three hours.
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On Sunday, MLB showed how aware it is of this issue by releasing its newly-revised Home Run Derby format. Among other changes, it includes a baseball version of a shot clock.
Gone are the days in which players, with a set number of "outs" (swings that don't result in a home run) per round, were allowed to take as many pitches as they thought necessary between swings.
Taking that system's place is a format in which participants are pressed against a 5:00 running clock to hit as many home runs as possible.
Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder, a two-time derby champion and a favorite to be selected for the American League All-Star team, supports the change. “Five minutes?” he told the Star-Telegram this week. “Think about batting practice. You can hit 20 homers in batting practice.”
In addition, the structure of the event includes an 8-player pool entered into a single elimination bracket that lasts three rounds.
2015 Gillette HR Derby presented by Head & Shoulders introduces new format, featuring brackets & timed rounds. pic.twitter.com/e3sFa1qxBp— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 28, 2015
Traditionally, the home run derby consisted of pools of about 10 players; the contestants with the four highest home run totals would advance to the second round. Home run totals would carry over from the first to the second round, and the two players with the highest totals after that round would advance to the final.
But this year, the derby will feature head-to-head match-ups in every round. The contestants will be seeded based on their home run totals for 2015.
In addition, this year's contest almost ensures that the derby will not last anywhere close to three hours.
The itinerary surrounding the five-minute timer is not black and white, though. Multiple bonuses will be offered, such as the timer stopping for any home run hit during the final minute. Hitters can also receive a bonus minute if they knock two balls that travel at least 420 feet.
It's a significant makeover. But overall, it looks like a positive redesign for one of the MLB's signature events.