A new hitting skills competition was added to the list of 2024 MLB All-Star Saturday events at Globe Life Field on July 13. The MLB Futures Skills Showcase is going to feature prospects who were selected to the All-Star Futures Game.
The hitting competition was inspired by past and present baseball video games, and follows in the footsteps of the inaugural Spring Breakout as part of the league’s initiative to highlight some of the sport’s future stars.
“The All-Star Futures Game is a premier event on the baseball calendar for the next generation of Major League stars and the addition of the Futures Skills Showcase to All-Star Saturday will enhance the experience for both players and fans,” MLB chief baseball development officer Tony Reagins said in a statement.
“Building on the success and popularity of the inaugural Spring Breakout, this is another exciting opportunity for Baseball to engage with a young audience while providing a platform for these great young players to display their incredible talents in a competitive format.”
The hitting challenge is scheduled to take place following the conclusion of the 2024 All-Star Futures Game.
MLB Futures Skills Showcase details
The new hitting competition was designed for top prospects to display their all-around hitting abilities in a fun and competitive environment that is broken up into three rounds.
Round 1 (“Hit it Here”): Hitters will aim to hit infield and outfield targets in order to earn points corresponding with each target’s value. Four obstacles (representing traditional infield positions) will be placed on the infield dirt, and hitters will earn points for hitting outfield targets on the fly or on a bounce. Similar to the KBO Bunt King competition, hitters may also earn points by bunting the ball onto bullseye-style targets and earning points corresponding to where the ball rests.
Round 2 (“Call Your Shot”): Hitters will have a number of swings to showcase their control. To start, they will announce to which field (Left, Right, or Center) they will try to hit the ball. If successful, they then will choose to hit to one of the two remaining fields, and once successful will have to hit the last field. After all fields are cleared, hitters will continue to “call their shot” to any field with their remaining swings. All hits must hit the outfield grass (clear the infield) to count.
Round 3 (“Swing for the Fences”): Hitters will showcase their all-field power and attempt to hit home runs. Batters will earn bonuses for homers hit to the batter’s opposite field, and will have the opportunity to earn additional bonus points for streaks of home runs hit on consecutive swings.
2024 MLB All-Star Game
The Texas Rangers are hosting the MLB All-Star Game for a second time in franchise history, but first at Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020. The Rangers previously hosted the 1995 MLB All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is on Tuesday, July 16. Fox is going to exclusively broadcast the game.
Single day tickets for MLB All-Star Saturday are on sale and include access to all three events taking place at Globe Life Field: the All-Star Futures Game, MLB Futures Skills Showcase and All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.
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