Brandon Brown
For years, fans have yearned for Major League Baseball to put on an All-Star Monday night skills display before the Home Run Derby (which will always be the main event), similar to what we’ve seen in the past with the basketball, football and hockey. MLB’s Monday announcement at least puts us in the ballpark, even if it’s not the big leaguers.
On Saturday, July 13, MLB will host a Futures Skills Showcase featuring players from the Futures Game. It will take place at the conclusion of the Futures Game and will feature three events:
· Round 1: “Hit Here”: Hitters will aim to hit inside and outside targets to earn points corresponding to the value of each target. Four obstacles (representing traditional infield positions) will be placed in the infield dirt, and hitters will earn points for hitting outfield targets in real time or by bouncing. Similar to the KBO Bunt King competition, hitters can also earn points by throwing the ball at target-type targets and earning points corresponding to where the ball is.
· Round 2: “Call Your Shot”: Hitters will have a series of swings to show their control. To start, they will announce which field (left, right or center) they will try to hit the ball. If successful, they will choose to get one of the two remaining fields right, and once successful, they will have to get the last field right. After all pitches are cleared, hitters will continue to “bid” to any pitch with strikes remaining. All hits must hit the outfield grass (clear the infield) to count.
· Round 3: “Swing for the Fences”: Hitters will show their power all over the field and try to hit home runs. Hitters will earn bonuses for home runs hit to the opposite field from the batter and will have the opportunity to earn additional bonus points for streaks of home runs hit on consecutive at-bats.
“The All-Star Futures Game is an important 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 players and fans alike,” said MLB chief Baseball. Chief 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 showcase their incredible talents in a competitive format.”
I hope this is popular enough that MLB realizes they can do something similar with the All-Stars on the Monday before the Derby, but I have doubts. Many of them just want to enjoy a short holiday with their families and it is difficult enough to fill the entire Derby field. We could even lose the third round there, as the Derby serves as a “swinging for the fence” exercise.
Regardless, seeing prospects participate in these events will be a nice problem for the Futures Game, which has been relegated to playing alongside actual Saturday night MLB games rather than having its own showcase.
tatuagem pai e mãe masculino
facebook png
blog do marco silva
casa em l
bomba de aquário
absolutamente
globo o melhor conteúdo
