Rochester Honkers and SCHEELS are happy to announce that for the first time, Rochester, Minnesota will play host to the Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby Local Competition. Boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 are welcome to come to Mayo Field on May 19, 2018 to participate in this FREE event. The event will be broken up into 2 age groups (14 & Under and 12 & Under) with one winner from each age group moving on to the Regional Competition held in Midlothian, Illinois.  These two winners will compete at the Regional Competition for a chance to go to the National Competition, held during the 2018 Major League Baseball All Star Week in Washington D.C. at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals.

Details of the Local Competition:

  • Date:
    • Saturday, May 19
  • Time:
    • 12 & Under:
      • 9am – 11pm
    • 14 & Under:
      • 12pm – 2pm
  • Age Groups:
    • Ages 10-12 (12 & Under Division)
      • Born ON or AFTER July 18, 2005
    • Ages 13-14 (14 & Under Division)
      • Born BETWEEN July 18, 2003 – July 17, 2005
  • Cost:
    • FREE
  • Home Run Distances:
    • 12 & Under – 170 ft.
    • 14 & Under – 200 ft.
  • Bat Restrictions:
    • Bats cannot be greater than 34 inches in length
    • Bats cannot have a barrel greater than 2 5/8 inches in diameter
    • 2 3/4 inches is NOT permissible
  • IMPORTANT:
    • All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate to the competition.

Home Run Derby Format:

  • A pitching machine will be used for ALL batters in both age groups (No Exceptions)
  • Each batter will get to see one warm up pitch and then all pitches after that will be live
  • Each batter will receive SIX outs
    • Any foul tip, any foul ball, any swing and miss, and any ball that does not go over the designated outfield fence is an OUT
    • A ball that is not swung at is NOT considered an out
  • Once the batter receives their sixth out, they are done from competition
    • A batter may only compete ONCE in their registered local competition
  • The batter, in their respective age group, with the MOST home runs, will be declared the winner
  • One winner will be chosen from each age group
    • One 14 & Under winner
    • One 12 & Under winner
  • Each batter will receive a certificate for participating in this event

Printable Flyer — 2018 Jr. Home Run Derby Flyer

This Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby Local Competition wouldn’t be possible without the help of the following parternships within the Rochester, Minnesota community: