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MLB Home Run Derby: Live updates, field, new rules as Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson lead stars looking for the title in Texas

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MLB Home Run Derby: Live updates, field, new rules as Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson lead stars looking for the title in Texas

The MLB All-Star Break is here and the best players from around baseball are in Arlington, Texas, as the festivities get underway this week. The 2024 MLB Draft is already in the books, with the Guardians taking Travis Bazzana No. 1 overall out of Oregon State. Now the focus shifts to the Home Run Derby.

There are a few rule changes for this year — most importantly, the first round will be leaderboard style, rather than starting as a bracket-style competition, with the player with the highest home run total seeded first and the lowest seeded eighth. The opening round will see the top four scores advance to a bracket-style final four. There is also a total pitch limit in addition to the time limit. In the first two rounds, batters will have 40 pitches within three minutes, and in the finals, each batter will have 27 pitches over two minutes. You can read more about the rule changes and get an in-depth look at each of the eight Derby participants here.

  • Date: July 15, 2024

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET

  • Location: Globe Life Field | Arlington, Texas

  • TV channel: ESPN

  • Streaming: DirecTV Stream, Fubo, ESPN+

Stay with Yahoo Sports for complete coverage of the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Live23 updates

  • A strong finish after his timeout, and García has 18 home runs before his bonus round. He left a ball at the mound though. Used 39 of his 40 pitches before the timer hit zero.

  • Bobby Witt Jr. keeps the pace

    You expect the hometown guy to have a little extra juice, and that’s exactly what Bobby Witt Jr. did.

    The guy known as Bobby Baseball hit 20 bombs in his first round, a solid showing in his first MLB Home Run Derby. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins the whole darn thing in front of his hometown and family.

  • García takes his timeout with eight home runs and 22 swings remaining. Some work to do to keep pace.

  • Up next is home-team hero and reigning ALCS MVP Adolis García, who got a rousing ovation from the Texas crowd.

  • A Bryce Harper sighting in the Home Run Derby!

  • Witt added four home runs in his bonus round to come within one of Alec Bohm. Standings after two batters:

    Alec Bohm: 21
    Bobby Witt Jr.: 20

    The top four batters will advance. There is no head-to-head in the new format.

  • Alec Bohm delivers strong start to kick off the contest

    The heavy underdog entering the night, considering his reputation for collecting doubles more than homers, Alec Bohm showed well, with 21 homers in the opening round. It’s never easy to be the first Derby hitter of the night, but I’d say Bohm comfortably cleared expectations for those who were worried he would be lining low line drives into the gaps for the duration of the night.

    His longest homer traveled only 445 feet, which will likely be on the low end of max distances among tonight’s competitors. That said, if another guy goes unexpectedly cold, I think he might sneak into the semifinals.

  • Witt finished strong after his timeout to finish with 16 home runs. He earned a bonus round and can add to his tally.

  • Bobby Witt has five home runs in his first 21 swings before taking his timeout. Some work to do to keep pace.

  • Gunnar Henderson, meanwhile, does a mean Scooby Doo impression. The first-time participant will be swinging a Scooby Doo-themed bat Monday night.

  • Bobby Witt Jr.’s up next.

  • Bohm added one home run in his bonus round and sets the standard with 21 home runs. Strong start.

  • A strong start in the first at-bat from Alec Bohm. 20 home runs before his bonus round. He used the full clock to get his 40 swings in. Players earn three bonus outs if they hit any home run 425 feet.

  • Bohm’s in a groove with four home runs in six swings after a slow start.

  • Here we go. Bohm’s on the clock and hits a foul ball on his first swing.

  • Alec Bohm will bat first.

  • ICYMI. Ingrid Andress’ pre-Derby national anthem:

  • That rendition of the national anthem was, well, something.

  • Saturday Night Live’s Marcello Hernández is done with introductions, and we’re almost ready to start.

  • Introductions are underway in Arlington. The Derby’s almost ready to start.

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