In a thrilling announcement, Major League Baseball (MLB) revealed that the 2024 Home Run Derby X (HRDX) will be held in four prominent U.S. cities: Nashville, Fort Wayne, Durham, and Albuquerque. This exciting 3-on-3 co-ed tournament, first introduced in 2022, is renowned for emphasizing power-hitting and defensive hustle.
Set to take place from August to September, the 2024 MLB HRDX will feature epic battles among MLB legends, softball stars, and women’s baseball players. With national coverage and a substantial prize pool, the Home Run Derby X 2024 is poised to deliver top-notch entertainment and various betting opportunities.
| Detail | Information |
| Date | August, 10th 2024 – September, 7th 2024 |
| Locations | Parkview Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico First Horizon Park, Nashville, Tennessee Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, North Carolina |
| Where to watch | TBS, ESPN, ESPN Desportes |
| Prize pool | Around $2.5 million |
| Defending Champion | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
Information on New Locations
The 2023 HRDX edition showed the world the very best of MLB. The global audience enjoyed matches from Seoul, London, and Mexico City. Yet, given that many minor league players were involved in the event, the League wanted to extend the reach to a more “local” audience. While they made stops at Hartford and Fredericksburg last year, the new tournament will have new host cities.
Starting in August, people from the following venues will watch the Home Run Derby live at the stadium:
- Parkview Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Home of the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps (affiliate of the San Diego Padres), it has a total capacity of 9,266 seats. The ballpark has 16 luxury suits and a unique Minor Leagues feature. The one-of-a-kind “400 Club” is a $800,000 investment with a bar and a private seating area. It will undoubtedly add an extra dimension to the event.
- Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico: The field where the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (affiliate of Colorado Rockies) plays its home matches has 13,500 seats. The state-of-the-art multifunctional venue also hosts New Mexico United FC and the University of New Mexico’s baseball program. It features an open breezeway, a picnic shelter, restaurants, and keepsake stores.
- First Horizon Park, Nashville, Tennessee: In downtown Tennessee, home of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds (affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) welcomed a record crowd of 12,409 in 2022. This popular culture venue is famous for featuring two music videos, TV shows, and films. The ballpark has elements of Nashville’s heritage, incorporating musical and baseball imagery.
- Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, North Carolina: After Kevin Costner made the city famous in the baseball-themed movie, the home of the Triple-A Durham Bulls will get under the bright lights again. The Tampa Bay Rays affiliate plays in front of 10K people who support the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Central Eagles. Recent renovations modernized the site with an expanded team store, revamped locker rooms, and office spaces. Fans also enjoy “History Hallway,” a captivating team history area and an indoor hitting space.
For those who can’t attend the event, national broadcast stations are streaming Home Run Derby. As we displayed above, watch games on ESPN or ESPN Desportes.
The 2024 MLB HRDX Schedule
The organizers have already decided on the first MLB Home Run Derby date and all subsequent games. While we still wait for the full-player roster, these are the stops in 2024:
- August 10, Parkview Field
- August 23, Isotopes Park
- August 31, First Horizon Park
- September 7, Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
In addition to the TV, several local and national stations will provide the streaming Home Run Derby. So, don’t worry about running late since the most recent info goes via different channels.
MLB HRDX 2024 Format
The Home Run Derby Format follows a single-elimination bracket structure. Each game lasts 30 minutes. A team has three players, each with 2 minutes 30 seconds at bat. The team with the most points wins.
Eight batters compete, each getting four minutes per round to hit as many home runs as possible. In case of a tie, a one-minute swing-off decides the winner. The other MLB Home Run Derby rules guarantee a fast-paced and exciting contest.
The offense gets 1 point for a home run, while the defense gets the same for catch. Also, there are two ways for players to earn bonus points:
- calling for a “Hot Streak” that doubles five next swing points
- hitting a home run through the center-field target.
Moreover, the defense gets their part of the share, too. First, they earn points by robbing homers or by making catches. Finally, the opposition profits by snagging a ball during the “Hot Streak.”
The Home Run Derby Betting
Baseball is a specific sports discipline with nuances differing between winners and losers. For knowledgeable, it’s a goldmine of opportunities. Still, once the organizer announces all participants, we’ll have full Home Run Derby betting odds. Until then, we should elaborate on basic strategies, betting options, and top contenders. Combine the information with our expert tips for a starting advantage.
Fundamental Betting Options and Strategies
In such a large amount of discussions about options and strategies, players refer to the best sports betting sites in USA, where expert guides help them make informed decisions. Given the Home Run Derby matchups, we suggest trying your luck with the basics:
- Outright winner: This is the most popular bet. Choose the player you think will win the entire competition. Analyze recent performance, park factors, and player experience to make an informed decision.
- Head-to-head matchups: Bet who will hit more home runs in a matchup between two players. Consider their power-hitting stats and past performance against each other.
- Total home runs: The strategy implies an over/under wager on the total number of home runs hit during the event.
Top Contenders for 2024
Before presenting this year’s favorites, we’d like to show some interesting aspects. Historically, the tour has been full of crazy feats. The crowd enjoyed streaks of several homers in a row, absolute moonshots, and other excitements. Let’s check Home Run Derby records on which bettors can base a successful 2024 betting strategy.
| Player/Team | Feature | Record |
| Ken Griffey Jr. | Most Player Wins | 3 |
| New York Yankees | Most Team Wins | 4 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Most Home Runs in a Single Round | 41 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Most home runs in a single Home Run Derby | 91 |
The full lineup of participants depends on the MLB Home Run Derby schedule. So far, we know that Jonny Gomes, Jake Arrieta, and Nick Swisher will lead MLB legends. Jocelyn Alo, Paige Halstead, and Mia Davidson-Smith lead women’s baseball. Also, Alex Hugo and Ashton Landsdell come from softball ranks.
Expert Tips
While the official participants haven’t been announced yet, watch for players known for their power-hitting prowess. Previous champions, young sluggers on a hot streak, and hitters who excel in hitter-friendly ballparks are all potential contenders.
Moreover, we suggest you do the homework before start placing real-money bets. When ready, consider the following expert tips as your strategy:
- Consider park factors: Ballparks known for being hitter-friendly can favor certain players.
- Look for hot hitters: Statistically, players on a tear might make a safe bet.
- Don’t forget about experience: Veterans with past Derby success could be strong contenders.
- Shop around for the best lines: Different sportsbooks offer varying odds. Compare options before placing your bet.
- Set a budget and stick to it: Betting on sports should be fun, so gamble responsibly and only wager affordable losses.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby will build upon the previous tour’s success. With the projected lineup of baseball and softball big names, the audience looks forward to new record-breaking performances. The summer brings non-stop actions, home runs, and diving catches to longstanding baseball strongholds that will now host the most prominent MLB legends. Knowing the updated Home Run Derby betting odds, you’ll make an informed decision. Remember to wager responsibly and enjoy your favorite teams and players.
