Home Run Derby rule changes aimed at reducing frantic pace - ESPN

BALTIMORE — The rules for the 2024 Home Run Derby have been altered significantly, with some of the changes designed to reduce the frantic pace that has concerned past participants.

Within each player's timed round, the hitter will see a maximum of 40 pitches — similar to how there is a maximum number of basketballs shot in the NBA 3-point contest. This will place a greater premium on efficiency between the batting practice pitchers and the hitters.

COMPETITION FLOW

1st Round
• 8 hitters (top 4 advance). Tie is broken by the longest HR in the 1st round.
Semifinals
• Bracket style: 3 vs. 2, 4 vs. 1
• Based on 1st-round HR totals
Final
• Top 2 face off

RULES
1st Round and Semifinals
• 3-minute round. 40 pitches. One timeout
• 3 bonus outs (every swing is a HR or an out)
• A 425-foot HR in the bonus period earns a 4th bonus out
Finals
• 2-minute round. 27 pitches. One timeout
• Same bonus rules apply

Since the Derby moved to a timed format in 2015, the rounds of swings have often shifted into a race of the hitter and pitcher trying to get through as many swings as possible. In last year's Derby, all of the participants averaged more than 43 swings per round.

Some past participants have spoken about how exhausting the event has become, and have privately fretted about what they perceive to be a heightened risk for injury because of the accelerated pace, which is not typical for hitters taking batting practice.

The hitters will have three minutes in each of the first two rounds, and two minutes in the championship round.

Also, the bonus time for each hitter will no longer be clocked. Instead, the hitter will continue until he's made three outs — a swing that generates a result other than a home run. A fourth out can be earned