The Home Run Derby X is set to bring Major League Baseball excitement to three locations across the world in the coming months, with London first up.
It will feature four of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees.
Each team will feature a former player (Legend), a softball or women’s baseball star (Superstar), a player from the local region development system (Rookie) and an influential content creator (Wild Card). It’s a full day festival experience, baseball style!
This is a showcase for the world to see the famous Home Run Derby on the World stage, only this one has a twist.
London, United Kingdom, Seoul, South Korea and Mexico City, Mexico, will host three weekends of baseball Home Run Derby hitting.
Here is everything you need to know about the new tournament, the Home Run Derby X.
What | FTX MLB Home Run Derby X |
| Where | Crystal Palace Park, London, UK. |
| When | Saturday 9th July 2022, 12.00 BST |
How to watch | BT Sport |
When is the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X?
The opening event will be on Saturday 9th July 2022 with two other day events being held in Asia and North America.
Where will the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X be held?
The inaugural Home Run Derby X will be held in London at Crystal Palace Park. The two follow up events will be held in Seoul, South Korea and Mexico City, Mexico.
How many times has the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X taken place?
Never. This is the inaugural event in London. There will be subsequent events taking place in Asia and North America and an eventual winner will be announced in the Mexico City event.
Which teams are taking part?
There will be four historic Major League Baseball clubs taking part. These are the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Each team will feature a former player and subsequent players to make up the team.
Who will be taking part?
Teams of four will take part. These consist of a legend in the team, a current female star of baseball and softball. A wild card addition, usually a fan of baseball or from another sport and a rookie, these players will be from local teams including the London Mets. The baseball field will be modified, slightly smaller to encourage more hitting.
Chicago Cubs:
Geovany Soto (Legend): The 39-year-old spent seven years with the Cubs as a catcher hitting 108 home runs in his time at Wrigley Field.
Also: Alex Hugo (Superstar), Spencer Owen (Wild Card) Jordan Edmonds (Rookie).
Los Angeles Dodgers:
Adrian Gonzalez (Legend): A five-time All-Star, Gonzalez hit 317 home runs in his career and represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and the 2020 Olympic Games.
Also: Ashton Lansdell (Superstar), Yoongy Kwak (Wild Card), Zach Stroman (Rookie).
Boston Red Sox:
Jonny Gomes (Legend): A two-time winner of the World Series, with the Red Sox in 2013 and with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Gomes hit 162 home runs in his career before he retired.
Also: Paige Halstead (Superstar), Liv Cooke (Wild Card), Kennard Dawson (Rookie).
New York Yankees:
Nick Swisher (Legend): Won the World Series with the Bronx Bombers in 2009, the last time the Yankees won the Championship. Hit 245 home runs in his career.
Also: Erika Piancastelli (Superstar), Daniel Corral (Wild Card), Richard Brereton (Rookie).
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Is it like the Home Run Derby in the USA?
Similar but not the same. While the Home Run Derby has eight competitors playing against each other in a knockout format, the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X will have more opportunities to win points.
Each batter will still receive a point when they hit a home run but now there are four targets within the field of play that they can also aim for. Hit one of those and that also earns a point. Unlike the Home Run Derby, the defence can make a difference by catching in the ‘catch zone’ earning points also.
Batters will get 25 pitches to score as many points as possible before they move onto the next hitter. Points collected will progress to the next stage and a winner will be announced after the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X in Mexico City.
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