DiggityDaggityDo
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there is a significant change for the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby. MLB is reportedly reverting to a swing-based (outs-based) format for the first time since 2014, eliminating the timed rounds and pitch limits used since 2015 (and the hybrid version since 2024).
This was reported on June 17–18, 2026, ahead of the event on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (broadcast on Netflix).
2026 Format Overview
• Three rounds: First round (all 8 hitters), Semifinals (4 hitters, bracketed), Finals (2 hitters).
• No time clock or pitch limits—hitters get a fixed number of swings per round.
• An “out” is any swing that does not result in a home run.
• Head-to-head matchups begin in the semifinals.
Specific Swing Allotments
• First Round (all 8 players, open/non-bracketed): 20 swings each. Top 4 by total home runs advance. sports.yahoo.com
• Semifinals (seeded bracket: #1 vs. #4, #2 vs. #3, based on first-round HRs): 15 swings each.
• Finals: 15 swings each. sports.yahoo.com
Bonus and Tiebreakers
• If a player hits a home run on their final swing, they continue until they record a non-home-run swing (similar to past outs-based formats).
• First-round ties: Broken by longest home run distance (Statcast).
• Semifinal/Final ties: Decided by a 3-swing swing-off. sports.yahoo.com
Other Notes
• No home run totals carry over between rounds.
• Hitters choose their own pitchers (typically coaches), with slower pitches from shorter distance, as usual.
• This change aims to reduce rushing, allow more strategic pacing, and preserve energy for later rounds while bringing back the classic “outs” feel.
This was reported on June 17–18, 2026, ahead of the event on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (broadcast on Netflix).
2026 Format Overview
• Three rounds: First round (all 8 hitters), Semifinals (4 hitters, bracketed), Finals (2 hitters).
• No time clock or pitch limits—hitters get a fixed number of swings per round.
• An “out” is any swing that does not result in a home run.
• Head-to-head matchups begin in the semifinals.
Specific Swing Allotments
• First Round (all 8 players, open/non-bracketed): 20 swings each. Top 4 by total home runs advance. sports.yahoo.com
• Semifinals (seeded bracket: #1 vs. #4, #2 vs. #3, based on first-round HRs): 15 swings each.
• Finals: 15 swings each. sports.yahoo.com
Bonus and Tiebreakers
• If a player hits a home run on their final swing, they continue until they record a non-home-run swing (similar to past outs-based formats).
• First-round ties: Broken by longest home run distance (Statcast).
• Semifinal/Final ties: Decided by a 3-swing swing-off. sports.yahoo.com
Other Notes
• No home run totals carry over between rounds.
• Hitters choose their own pitchers (typically coaches), with slower pitches from shorter distance, as usual.
• This change aims to reduce rushing, allow more strategic pacing, and preserve energy for later rounds while bringing back the classic “outs” feel.
