How are the 2024 Home Run Derby participants selected? Exploring the process and new rules 

The Home Run Derby is MLB's home run hitting competition conducted among a group of selected players a day before the MLB All-Star game. The 2024 All-Star Home Run Derby is just around the corner, set to take place on July 15 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

The event will feature eight hitters, half from the American League and half from the National League. So what qualifies these players to be a part of the Home Run Derby roster? It's based on the home run totals of the players.

However, it's worth noting that the selections specifically rely on the total HRs in the first half of the season. So, there could be a player with 70 HRs at the end of this season, but still, a player with only 50 HRs could've participated in the Home Run Derby instead of him.

Six participants have already been announced for this event:

1. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
2. ‌Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
3. ‌Pete Alonso, New York Mets
4. ‌Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
5. ‌ Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
6. ‌Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Revised rules for 2024 Home Run Derby

For 2024, the Home Run Derby is getting a makeover, with a focus on making it more strategic and less about simply swinging until the clock runs out. Each batter will only get a set number of pitches, just like there's a limit on the number of shots a player can take in the NBA's 3-point contest.

While there's still a time limit for each round, the bonus time format is changing. Instead of getting a set amount of extra time to hit homers after making an out, hitters will simply keep swinging until they record three outs. This might seem similar to the old format, but this time, if a hitter homers that travels at least 425 feet during this bonus period, they get an extra out, giving them another chance to keep the homers flying.

The first round of the Home Run Derby is also ditching the head-to-head matchups. Instead, all eight participants will compete against each other, with the top four home run hitters advancing to the semifinals. If there's a tie in the number of home runs hit, the player who launched the longest homer in the first round will move on.

These rules were changed because many participants complained about the event being too exhaustive, spiking up the risk of getting injured.

What do you think of the new rules ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.