PHILADELPHIA -- If you’re a Phillies fan and want to see Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and former Phillies nemesis (and Hall of Famer) Andruw Jones swing the bat again, check out MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 Presented by Ito En on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. The event will begin at 3 p.m. ET, and fans can watch live on Peacock and stream on NBC Sports.
MLBx is a co-ed, three-versus-three baseball competition that puts equal emphasis on offense and defense. It’s a three-inning affair, with each player getting an opportunity to hit and field. It is designed to provide a mix of power, athleticism and strategy, giving baseball fans fun, high-paced action to enjoy.
Here’s what else you need to know:
How many teams?
Four teams will compete in a knockout bracket, consisting of:
• Two semifinals
• One championship final
Who’s competing?
• Jimmy Rollins leads a squad with former Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and AUSL star Tiare Jennings
• Ryan Howard’s team includes current Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith and AUSL star Alyssa Brito
• Shane Victorino will play with AUSL star Rachel Garcia and another surprise guest
• Andruw Jones will play with AUSL star NiJaree Canady and another surprise guest
How long are the games?
They’re three innings, and they last approximately 30 minutes.
How does scoring work?
Teams get:
• 1 point for every home run
• 1 point for every catch
• Bonus points for hitting baseballs through a center-field target positioned above the outfield fence
The team with the highest score at the end of the three innings wins.
How do at-bats work?
Each player receives one two-minute at-bat during the game.
• The team on offense hits from a custom-built stage.
• The team on defense places all three players in the outfield to try and catch the ball.
• Once the two minutes are up, teams switch sides until every player has had an at-bat.
What is a Hot Streak?
Every hitter has one opportunity to call a “Hot Streak” during their at-bat.
For five consecutive swings:
• Home runs count double
• Catches also count double
Choosing exactly when to activate the “Hot Streak” can become the biggest tactical decision of the game.
What are Tag-Ins?
During the final 30 seconds of a player's at-bat, they can tag in a teammate. It allows another hitter to step in for the closing moments, introducing another strategic element as teams decide who they want swinging when time is running out.
What's the target in center field?
A unique feature of MLBx is the center-field target. Batters can earn bonus points by hitting balls cleanly through a target suspended above the outfield fence, rewarding both power and precision.
How big is the field?
The playing dimensions are designed to encourage exciting offensive play while still rewarding great defense.
Key distances include:
• Center field: 320 feet
• Left field: 280 feet, 3 inches
• Right field: 277 feet, 5 inches
• Power alleys: 314 feet
• Field angle: 69 degrees
Why MLBx?
MLBx has been designed to showcase baseball's most exciting skills in a format that is:
• Fast-paced
• Easy to understand
• Family-friendly
• Packed with action from the first swing to the final catch
• With home runs, diving catches, bonus targets and tactical Hot Streaks all coming into play, every minute of the competition offers something for fans to watch and cheer