Home Run Derby 2024: The Stage is Set in Arlington
The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the thrill of towering home runs will electrify Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, as the 2024 Home Run Derby approaches. Scheduled for Monday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET, this year's Derby promises to be an exhilarating showcase of power and precision that will captivate baseball fans worldwide.
Format and Contestants
Globe Life Field, the home stadium of the Texas Rangers, will host the event, drawing some of Major League Baseball’s biggest sluggers. The Derby's structure ensures non-stop action, starting with eight participants who will compete head-to-head in the first round. Each contestant will have three minutes or 40 pitches—whichever comes first—with one timeout allowed, to launch as many homers as possible.
The top four hitters from the first round will advance to the semifinals, introducing head-to-head matchups that will further intensify the competition. A tie will be resolved by the longest home run distance. The final round is set to be even more challenging, with each player getting just two minutes or 27 pitches to rack up the most home runs. The athlete with the most home runs at the end of the finals will be declared the winner.
Participants are granted additional opportunities to extend their performance. Each will receive three bonus outs after their initial turn, and a fourth bonus out can be earned if they hit a home run of at least 425 feet during the bonus period.
Notable Participants
Among the players who have confirmed their participation, Gunnar Henderson was the first to announce his commitment on June 30. Subsequently, Alex Bohm joined the lineup on July 5, adding another layer of excitement to the event.
Pete Alonso, a veteran of the Home Run Derby, will be making his fifth appearance. Having won the event in 2019 and 2021, Alonso is a formidable competitor. His recent selection for his fourth career All-Star Game cements his status as one of MLB’s premier power hitters, promising an electrifying performance in Arlington.
Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández has expressed interest in joining the Derby, adding to the anticipation. Not all stars are stepping up to the plate this year, however. Aaron Judge, who clinched the Derby title in 2017, opted out of this year’s contest. Similarly, Yordan Alvarez and Juan Soto, the latter having won in 2022, have also decided to sit this one out. "No, not this year," said Soto, affirming his decision to skip the event.
Shohei Ohtani, the sensational two-way player, initially showed interest in participating again but has had to reconsider due to his recovery from elbow surgery performed in September 2023. "I'm in the middle of my rehab progression, so it's not going to look like I'll be participating," Ohtani said, expressing his regret at not being able to compete.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Home Run Derby is poised to be an unforgettable spectacle, bringing together a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Fans can expect a thrilling display of power hitting under the lights of Globe Life Field. As the July 15 date approaches, the excitement continues to build, and the baseball community eagerly anticipates which slugger will emerge victorious, etching their name into Home Run Derby lore.