How to Improve the Home Run Derby

If you've been reading the FanHouse today, you're probably familiar with my perhaps-too-virulent rant about the Home Run Derby as compared to the All-Star Game. If you gathered anything of importance from that diatribe, it's that I happen to really enjoy the Home Run Derby.

But, as Jayson Stark points out at ESPN.com today, that doesn't mean the derby is perfect. Stark suggests a series of ideas to improve the thing, including limiting pitches, getting more accurate readings on how far that ball actually flies, shortening up the competition, etc. But his key idea is his first:

Why give these guys all their swings in one burst? Let that second hitter answer before the score gets out of hand. How complicated is that? Just break the final into three "rounds" of three outs each. That'll do the trick.
Hitter No. 1 gets to bop all the homers he can hit before he makes his first three outs. Then it's Hitter No. 2's turn. Then they alternate, just like in a real game, until they've used up all nine outs. And if everything goes right, the finals might build to an actual crescendo as opposed to an excuse to sprint for the parking lot.

Stark brags that everyone he's introduced the idea to has "loved" it, and it's hard to disagree. Rather than just have the final two contestants up there banging away -- after they've usually spent most of their energy in the early rounds, anyway -- give them short bursts to prove themselves. That could lead to a derby with a bit more drama, as Stark says.

One other idea: less Chris Berman. As in, no Chris Berman. That would be fantastic, thanks.

So, FanHouse commenting cognescenti, let's hear it. How would you improve the derby?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-09-2007 @ 4:07PM

Jes Golbez said...

Berman - Agreed. In fact, just get rid of him altogether.

Also, no Moe Jorgan.

also, stop using juiced balls.

I like the idea for the final round. I might actually stay around to the end if the event had a more exiciting finish and didn't take nearly as long.

7-09-2007 @ 4:22PM

Rich said...

You can also just Drink more ...
http://homerderby.com/archives/847

7-09-2007 @ 4:48PM

P Rans said...

And I thought it was just me. I have turned off Berman for over five years, every time I hear him. The problem is, he has so much juice with ESPN that he gets many of the must watch events. His inane habit of playing trivial pursuit with players names, giving them simply stupid twists drives me crazy. Bring back Howard Cosell, dead or not.

Paul

7-09-2007 @ 4:49PM

erikstephenson said...

HR Derby would be more boring without Berman. No need to get rid of him or the whole event would be dead.

7-09-2007 @ 4:54PM

Why has so much been made of Bonds not choosing to enter the derby? I hear it on almost every broadcast. He admitted that the one he won in 98? left him drained for a week. Anyone who has ever experienced extended batting practice, where you are not even trying to hit every one out knows how it can drain you. At 40+ the last thing Barry needs is to drain his energy on this meaningless pursuit. No one is pointing fingers at A Rod or Griffey. Leave the super stars alone and let the show offs do thier thing.

Paul

7-09-2007 @ 5:11PM

jjc58 said...

Require that one pitcher from each team participate. Winning pitcher gets the Babe Ruth award for pitcher with the largest ballsack.

Any position player who gets outhomered by a pitcher must lose all bragging rights associated with being named to the All-Star game and donate his bonus check to the Susan B. Koman foundation.

Who wouldn't want to see C.C. Sabathia in this event?

7-09-2007 @ 5:30PM

Scott Nelson said...

Execute the loser

7-09-2007 @ 5:32PM

savinbiller said...

I'm surprised Bonds didn't enter the contest as a thanks to the fans in SF who stuffed the ballot box at the last moment for him. Just another way of Barry only caring about Barry.

Maybe he needs for steroids for strength to help him win the contest. Just admit you used the juice Barry!!!

7-09-2007 @ 6:46PM

lj said...

The alternating three outs thing is NOT ORIGINAL!!! Jayson Stark is stealing the old 1959-60 HR Derby format--a WEEKLY TV show! I agree with his format but not at the end of this HR Derby. Get rid of the current Home Run Derby altogether and go back to the weekly star vs star (Aaron vs Mantle, Mantle beats Aaron, next week Mantle vs Mays, etc.) that was aired during the summer of 1960 (the competition was actualy shot for a few days right after the World Series of 1959 to get 26 half-hour shows) on TV back in 1959. The players each had the alternating three out thing that the guy above (Stark) is taking credit for, but for NINE innings not just the equivalent of three innnings as is being suggested by Stark in the blog above for the final round. IT'S NOT AN ORIGINAL IDEA THE THREE OUTS AND ALTERNATE. Again, it was used for NINE instead of just three rounds (innings) back in 1959!!!! When Mickey Mantle, Killebrew, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Rocky Colavito, Duke Snider, Eddie Mathews, Frank Robinson, Ken Boyer, Al Kaline, Ernie Banks, etc...REAL HR hitters (Alex Rios?????) and stars...participated!!!

7-09-2007 @ 7:21PM

Five Pound Bag said...

lj - Stark credits the Mark Scott HR derby for the idea, as well as having an ump call balls and strikes, later in the article.

Also, those stars participated because it was easy money, back in the era of the reserve clause when they were being paid a relative pittance compared to today.