Special Games

All Star Game

The All Star Game or midsummer classic is played during a 5 day break halfway through the season. In this game, the most popular (and best) players from each league compete against each other in a A.L. vs. N.L. game. As of 2003, the winner of the game has 4 games at home and the loser has 3, in the world series. The starting players are voted for by baseball writers, or by fans by voting either at games or via internet. Players not voted for are selected by the managers from the previous world series; those managers also coach the game. The rosters are bigger than normal games, typically 30 or more. Because of the big rosters, pitchers usually only pitch one inning, and don't usually show their best stuff, as they don't want to show it off to some of the best players in the game. Because of pitchers not pitching their best, lots of runs are scored and the game could be called a "run fest." Though lots of people love this game, it is very controversial, and some say the voting is unfair or rigged. They say this because people vote for popular players over better players. For example, I didn't think Derek Jeter was all-star worthy in his final year, but since he was popular and a baseball icon, he was voted. Personally though, I love the fact that any team can make a comeback at any given time, and I think is great for the players, and usually a career highlight.

Home Run Derby

The Home Run Derby is a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball held the day before the all star game, which places it on a Monday in July. Since the first annual home run derby in 1985, the contest has been through multiple rule changes, starting from outs, to multiple rounds, and finally evolving into what it is today, a timed bracket-style event. Originally, the game was not televised, in fact, the first nationally telecast Home Run Derby was in 1993, and the first live telecast in 1998. The Home Run Derby is now one of ESPN's most watched events.

Home Run Derby Rule Changes.

1985-1990

Back when the Home Run Derby just started, and still not televised, 4-10 from each league, were selected to participate. Each player had 2 "innings" to hit as many home runs as they could before reaching 5 outs. An out is considered any ball that does not reach the stands. The winner of the derby, was the player with the most total home runs after the 2 innings.

1991-2005

Beginning in 1991, the format was changed into a 3-round contest. From 1991-2006 8-10 players were chosen to participate. If you were chosen and wanted to participate, you had to hit as many home runs as you could before reaching 10 outs. Again, An out is considered any ball that does not reach the stands. The four players with the most home runs would move onto the second round. The home run amount is reset for each players at the beginning of a round. The players with the two most home runs in the second round advance to the final round, again, their total home runs resetting. In honor of the Baseball World Classic, in 2005, the derby consisted of eight players from different countries. While the player selection format was different, the structure remained the same.

2006-2013

The format between 2005 and 2006 changed only slightly. Instead of the total home runs by a player resetting each round, it only reset before the final round. Therefore, how well you did in the first round, would effect if you made it to the final round.

2014

In 2014, the derby format was changed greatly as MLB wanted to speed up the contest, and increase the drama and intensity. The contest was restructured to represent a bracket. In the new format, 5 players from each league faced the players from the same league in Round 1, with each player having 7 "outs." The 2 leagues had their own little "mini" contest and the winner of each league would face the other leagues winner. The player with the most home runs in the first round, skipped the second round and went straight to the third round, while the players with the second and third most home runs in the first round faced off. The winner of that would face the round 1 champion, and the winner of that match would move onto the final round where they competed against the other leagues winner. Each round, the score gets reset. Ties in any round are decided by a 3-swing swing off. If the score is still tied, the players engage in a sudden-death, where the first one to hit a homerun wins that round.

2015

The format was changed the next year. In 2015, probably the most significant change was the fact that the "outs" were removed, which was replaced by a time limit. Eight players are chosen based off their season home run total. In the rounds, each player was given 5 minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. The winner of the 1 on 1 advances through the bracket, until a winner is determined. If by any chance a tie occurs, in any match up, the players compete in a 90-second swing-off until a winner of that round is crowned. If it is still a tie, both players have 3 swings to hit more home runs than their opponent. If a tie is still a factor, then there is a sudden-death were the first player to hit a home run wins that round. Also, during the last minute of any round (unless it is a tie breaker) the players can receive "bonus time" where the clock stops for each home run they hit, and stays paused until the player does not hit a home run, in that case, the timer continues until they hit another home run.

2016 (Present)

The Home Run Derby in 2016 was changed slightly. The bracket format remained the same, however the time limit is only 4 minutes, and each player can call a "time-out" where they can take a drink and regroup. The time-out lasts 45 seconds and the players can call one a round unless it is the final round, where in that case, the players can call two time-outs. Furthermore, the players can receive 30 seconds more time for hitting 2 balls past 440 feet. If the two hitters are tied, they compete in a 60-second swing-off. During the tie breaker, the players are not allowed to call time-outs. If the players are still tied, they will participate in a 3 swing swing-off. If the score is still tied, once again, the players would compete in a "sudden-death" and the first player to hit a home run would advance.