Home Run Derby X is coming to the Minor Leagues!

June 12th, 2023

The world got its first peek at Home Run Derby X, the action-packed dinger-and-defense event, last year as the event headed to London, Seoul, and Mexico City.

Now, Minor League Baseball fans can rejoice as the tournament is coming stateside, making stops at Dunkin' Donuts Park, home of the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, on Aug. 11 and at Fredericksburg's Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Aug. 26, home of the Fredericksburg Nationals. MLB Legends Jonny Gomes and Nick Swisher will be back to bash home runs in Hartford, while Gomes will be joined by an MLB star to be named later in Fredericksburg. (And we can only hope they find a way to up their bat wrap game again!)

While Gomes' Red Sox won the tour with a walk-off smash from Enmanuel Valdez in Mexico City last year, there's a bit of a change this time around: The teams could feature you. Members of the public with baseball and softball experience are encouraged to apply for an opportunity to participate in a Draft Day prior to each event, with eight men and women getting selected by MLB and softball legends to join their teams for the public event. Not only will pride be on the line, but a cash prize will be awarded, too.

“Home Run Derby X is coming to Hartford and Fredericksburg and I can’t wait to be there to compete and to check out some of the awesome local talent,” said Gomes. “It is going to be an unbelievable couple of days with a lot of home runs! Be ready!”

Though the teams may be changing this time around, the core of HRDX is still the same. In this format, co-ed teams of four (three hitters and one pitcher) go head-to-head in a three-inning game with points awarded for offense (hitting) and defense (catching) in a quick fire, non-stop, action-packed contest. Each game takes about 30 minutes to play, with additional ways to score including the iconic hot streak orange baseballs and target hits.

For more information and for how you can take part, click here.