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| Todd Frazier http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2015/07/ todd-frazier-mlb-home-run-derby-850x560.jpg |
That was an exciting, and important, Home Run Derby last night.
MLB implemented new rules to improve the Derby and the event was need of some excitement after last year's struggles with weather and home runs.
There were potential hiccups last night, including worries about rain and the new format, but they did not come to fruition.
The new format is fantastic, and here to stay.
Skepticism about the new rules proved to be erroneous. The bracket is a great edition to the event as it adds more drama to the early rounds. There were multiple times that a participant hit a home run or just missed clearing the fence at the buzzer.
MLB also succeeded with the four minute clock. Originally five minutes, the clock was shorten to four due to weather concerns. And four minutes seemed to be a perfect fit. It gives the hitter enough time to get warmed up and not too much time that they are wiped out by the last round.
That does not mean that the format is perfect. The second hitter in the bracket won every round except one (4 seed Joc Pederson over 1 seed Albert Pujols in the semifinals). While that may be an anomaly, MLB should try to think of a way to give the first hitter some type of advantage.
Also, the 30 second bonus needs to be readjusted. It was not hard to get the bonus round. If they want to include it, maybe just have it be a guaranteed bonus round where they have a 45 second break after the first four minutes and before the bonus round.
The success of the Derby should also be attributed to the players. Each of the eight players did a great job and was exciting. Anthony Rizzo hit eight home runs in one round, the least of the day. Last year, only two players hit over eight home runs in one round (Jose Bautista and Yoenis Cespedes). The players hit homers like they were supposed to do and that is a key to the Derby's success.
The success can be shown in the TV ratings. The ESPN broadcast got a 4.9 rating, better than last year, and about the same as 2010-2013. There was also a 57% increase on viewership on WatchESPN.
The MLB hit a home run with the new rules for the Home Run Derby. Unlike other skills competition changes that fell flat and were flops (ex: the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest), the Derby's new rules are improvements on the original product and should be long lasting.
There were potential hiccups last night, including worries about rain and the new format, but they did not come to fruition.
The new format is fantastic, and here to stay.
Skepticism about the new rules proved to be erroneous. The bracket is a great edition to the event as it adds more drama to the early rounds. There were multiple times that a participant hit a home run or just missed clearing the fence at the buzzer.
MLB also succeeded with the four minute clock. Originally five minutes, the clock was shorten to four due to weather concerns. And four minutes seemed to be a perfect fit. It gives the hitter enough time to get warmed up and not too much time that they are wiped out by the last round.
That does not mean that the format is perfect. The second hitter in the bracket won every round except one (4 seed Joc Pederson over 1 seed Albert Pujols in the semifinals). While that may be an anomaly, MLB should try to think of a way to give the first hitter some type of advantage.
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| Joc Pederson https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/usatsi_8695363_ 168380427_lowres.jpg?w=1000&h=718 |
The success of the Derby should also be attributed to the players. Each of the eight players did a great job and was exciting. Anthony Rizzo hit eight home runs in one round, the least of the day. Last year, only two players hit over eight home runs in one round (Jose Bautista and Yoenis Cespedes). The players hit homers like they were supposed to do and that is a key to the Derby's success.
The success can be shown in the TV ratings. The ESPN broadcast got a 4.9 rating, better than last year, and about the same as 2010-2013. There was also a 57% increase on viewership on WatchESPN.
The MLB hit a home run with the new rules for the Home Run Derby. Unlike other skills competition changes that fell flat and were flops (ex: the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest), the Derby's new rules are improvements on the original product and should be long lasting.
