A few hours ago, it didn’t look like there would be a Home Run Derby today. However, the weather has cleared up in Cincinnati and there should be enough of a window to get this thing in. MLB has tweaked the rules of the derby to push things along:
These are the revised rules for tonight's @Gillette #HRDerby presented by @Headshoulders: pic.twitter.com/paJGk7tmNF
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 13, 2015
MLB announced new rules for the Home Run Derby last month, which included five-minute rounds and the ability to stop the clock with each home run in the final minute. Players were also supposed to get a bonus minute for hitting two home runs that equal or exceed 420 feet. Nice ideas, but with more bad weather on the way, they needed to speed things up.
Perhaps this will end up being a happy accident. The biggest issue with the Home Run Derby is that it drags on forever. MLB tried to address those concerns with the original rule changes, but these latest alterations should create a brisk pace. Here’s hoping, anyway.