Has the Home Run Derby jumped the shark?

Question

It is sooooo boring, there are too many commercials and Berman, Morgan and whomever else was announcing sounded really stupid trying to play it up.

How about some other skills competitions and shorten this travesty (less outs, less players)?

Answer 1

I think there should b only 2 rounds with 2 ppl from each league, n only 5 outs

then they can have a skills competition with a outfielder a infielder and a catcher(1 from each league), if its a OF from 2nd base they hve 2 run 2 centerfield where their are two buckets full of baseballs and they hve 2 hit 3 moving targets, then they hve 2 run back and whoever finishes the fastest wins, then 4 the IF they hve 2 run down the first base line and hit a small target at home plate, then they hve 2 run to third and throw again 2 home to hit a small target, and whoever finshes this the fastest wins, and hve 2 catchers that hve 2 go 2 home plate and hve 2 try n hit very small target at 1st 2nd and third that r moving, but the catchers hve 2 be in the squatting position.

Answer 2

Tony LaRusa suggested it be changed to 5 outs to make it go by faster, which is a good idea. Also, I think a good tie-breaker would be hit for hit. Just go 1 for 1 until someone doesn't match the HR. This will move it along. As for less players I think they have the amount of players right, but last night was bad because players like Griffey and Bonds could have taken advantage of the short right porch in right field. The people in the cove would have been a little more happy too. Ryan Howard was the only one to hit a ball to the people in kayaks and that was on a foul ball (out).

Answer 3

I would definitely favour getting rid of the announcers, I really don't like Morgan and Berman is annoying too.

I think they should do a split screen, interview on one side, home runs on the other.

Fewer outs is a pretty good idea too.
As mean as it sounds, concentrating on the kids or the fielders is also a waste of time.

Answer 4

Not a bad ideal on skill competition. Catcher must it targets simulating throw out at every base. FASTEST base runners go Willy T. Maybe the top 5-6 homerun hitters in baseball only, too bad many will refuse stating it misses with their swing IT ONLY ONE NIGHT. If the Superbowl finally got rid of the Rolling Stone maybe it time for a change in the homerun derby.

Answer 5

I agree...here is my solution:

8 total participants

All 8 get to hit 3 rounds. Each round, you switch BP pitchers. That way, each player hits from the same guys.

Each round is 7 outs.

The player with the top total after 3 rounds, wins the derby.

Instead of those announcers...have 2 players (one from each league) and 1 comedic celebrity announce it, like Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler.

That way, you bring in non-baseball fans, just to listen to them talk & joke around. You would also have guys like Ryan Howard, who had a bad 1st round, still get a chance later in a 2nd & 3rd round, to hit a ball to all those people who were in the water last night.

Sure, Rios & Vlad put on a good show, but if all 8 guys get to keep hitting more than 1 time, it might put some more flair back in it.

Answer 6

It really is ridiculous...Nothing but finding yet another excuse to advertise, or go to commercials. I'm surprised there wasnt' a spot between every pitch...It really does make me sick how much advertising apparently HAS to take place, in order to run one of these things, yet somehow, it took place just fine without advertising 50 years ago...I resfuse to watch it any more...I couldn't even make it past the introductions last night...

Answer 7

MLB should use the HRD 2 determine HFA in the WS.

Which is no lamer than the current approach.

Answer 8

Yeah it's pretty bad. Get rid of the announcers!

Answer 9

my fav part is when the players wont speak english. like vlad cant speak it, but understands everything he hears. it made me mute the tv. does he get paid in pesos, or american dollars?