Home Run Derby Rules
There are (7) Home Run Derby divisions, plus a special Professional category for former major leaguers and local celebrities:
- Miracle League Division I – Beyond the Pitcher’s Mound
- Miracle League Division II – Beyond the Infield “Dirt”
- Miracle League Division III – Over the Fence
- OPEN Juniors (13 and under)
- OPEN Juniors (14 to 18)
- OPEN Adult Female
- OPEN Adult Male
- Professional / Celebrity
Miracle League Player Divisions
Begin batting @ 9:00 AM:
- ML Players have a choice of (3) different Home Run Divisions;
- ML Division I: A Home Run is any ball hit beyond the Pitcher’s Mound
- ML Division II: A Home Run is any ball hit beyond the Infield “Dirt” (into the outfield “grass”)
- ML Division III: A Home Run must be hit over the fence
- ML Coaches will pitch to the Miracle League players. Division I and II players have the option of using a batting tee.
- ML Players start with 5 home runs
- 7 outs per at-bat (each round consists of 7 outs per player)
- Top 3 in each of the three categories advance to a Final Round. In the case of a tie after the final round, a three-swing swing-off, and if still tied again sudden-death swings until one player homers.
- Winners receive a Trophy, Miracle League website/Facebook recognition as Las Vegas’s greatest slugger in that category, and other great prizes!
OPEN Divisions:
There are (4) different OPEN Home Run Divisions:
- OPEN Juniors (13 & Under) Begin batting @ 11:00 AM
- OPEN Teens (14 to 18) Begin batting @ 12:30 PM
- OPEN Adult Female Begin batting @ 2:00 PM
- OPEN Adult Male Begin batting @ 3:30 PM
In OPEN Divisions, each participant is thrown pitches by a pitcher of his choice. The hitter has the option of not swinging at a pitch. If he/she swings at a pitch and misses or hits the pitch anywhere but in home run territory, it is considered an out. Each player hits until he/she receives 5 outs in each round.
- Each of the OPEN divisions will begin at a specified time (above)
- All contestants will use foam bat and balls (see image)
- 5 outs per at-bat (each round consists of 5 outs per player)
- After 1 complete round, the Top 5 (or more, if more are tied for the Home Run lead in that Division after 1 round) advance to a Final Round of 5 outs per at-bat. In the case of a tie after the final round, a three-swing “swing-off” is played, and if still tied again, sudden-death swings until one player homers.
- Scores will be posted real-time to determine which players advance after Round 1.
- Each Division will play to conclusion before the next Division begins batting. The process is the same in each of the four Divisions.
- Winners receive a Trophy, Miracle League website/Facebook recognition as Las Vegas’s greatest slugger in that category, and other great prizes!
Professional Division:
All former major leaguers and local celebrities will bat throughout the morning; 5 outs per hitter
Miracle League Las Vegas reserves the right to adjust the rules at any time for any reason.