MLB to host virtual Home Run Derby at LLWS

August 14th, 2018

Continuing its efforts to engage and have an impact on young audiences, Major League Baseball will once again roll out a special Home Run Derby Virtual Reality video game championship on Wednesday for the 16 teams participating in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
The Home Run Derby VR Little League Challenge presented by DICK's Sporting Goods will be held at PLAY BALL Park at 11 a.m., and it will be live streamed on ESPN3 and the ESPN app, with a 30-minunte recap airing on ESPN on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The broadcast will be produced by the MLB Games and VR team, and it will feature commentary from MLB Network's Alexa Datt with analysis from popular gamers and content creators RealShelfy and Fuzzy.
The VR technology features a 360-degree high-resolution visualization reflecting ballparks that have been recreated, with participants swinging just as if they were in an actual batter's box. For the tournament, one player from each of the participating Little League players will have 90 seconds to hit as many home runs as possible.

MLB hosted a similar event during All-Star Week in Washington last month, which featured a built-in, 360-degree, high-resolution visualization mirroring the MLB All-Star Week design. That equipment will be used for Wednesday's four-round bracket event.