What makes the event so fun and interesting is that the usual competitive spirit in major baseball league games is replaced by a cheerful spirit. This is, after all, not a truly competitive event. After year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised during the event. The funds are donated by generous sponsors.



Over the years, the format of the event has changed several times. For example, it used to be the case that home run scours are reset to zero with each new round. However, in 2006, a rule change allowed players to carry over home run scours to the second round. Scours in the final round are still reset to zero.

The field of players are chosen from American League players, and National League players - 4 from each league. Traditionally, the players represented their teams when they compete in the Home Run Derby event. In 2005, this rule was changed. The players now represent their home countries instead of their teams.

The record for the event was set by Bobby Abreu, then playing for Philadelphia Phillies. The Home Run Derby was held at Comerica Park, Detroit, and Bobby managed a total of 41 home runs! The player who came closest to this record is Miguel Tejada of Baltimore Orioles. He managed a record of 27 home runs while playing in Minute Maid Park, Houston in the 2004 Home Run Derby event.

The event caught media attention in 1993, and was initially televised as a delayed telecast event. It continued to be so for a full 5 years, before it became a live telecast event in 1998. Since then, it has remained as a live telecast event, watched by thousands of baseball fans. Every year, the tv station sets aside 2 hours of air time for this live event. But it is not uncommon to see Home Run Derby events lasting more than 2 hours. For example, the events in 2006 and 2007 lasted almost 3 hours!

If you have ever been to a live baseball match in the Major League, you know what is feels like whenever someone hits a home run. The crowd goes wild and the atmosphere is simply electrifying. Home Run Derby is all about hitting home runs. Whatever you are experiencing in a normal baseball game, magnify that by 10 times. That's because before the crowd can quiet down, another player hits a home run!

As the game format is very easy to understand, even those who do not commonly follow baseball games will find the game exciting and enjoyable.