The home run derby won’t be quite as frantic this year as it has been the past few years.Major League Baseball and ESPN announced new rules on Sunday night to the annual All-Star game event that will bring more efficiency and fewer swings.Players will now have a maximum of 40 pitches during the first two rounds of competition, which last three minutes apiece. Previously, hitters had unlimited pitches during those rounds, leading to a frantic pace that created injury concerns after players all averaged more then 43 pitches.In addition to those 40 pitches, players will have untimed three bonus outs – any swing that doesn’t result in a home run – at the end of their three minutes.The first round will also no longer be a head-to-head format with the eight competitors. The top four players from the first round will advance – ties will be broken by using the longest home run hit – into a four-player, head-to-head semifinal round, then a two-minute, 27-pitch final round.Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson became the first player to commit to the 2024 Home Run Derby on Sunday. The 2024 Home Run Derby will be held on July 15 in Arlington, Texas.
