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New format for 2014 Home Run Derby

There will be a new format for the 20th annual Gillette Home Run Derby.

Ten players will compete in the event on July 14 at Target Field, five from the American League and five from the National League.

Round 1

• Ten participants total; five participants representing each league.

• The batting order will be determined prior to the event. Hitter No. 1 for the NL will hit first followed by Hitter No. 1 for the AL. This order will continue for hitters Nos. 2-5 for each league, with the NL going first, followed by the AL.

• Each participant will receive seven outs.

• The player from each league who hits the most home runs (AL 1, NL 1) will automatically advance to Round 3 (semifinals).

• The next two participants with the most home runs from each league (AL 2, AL 3/NL 2, NL 3) advance to Round 2.

Round 2

• The two participants advancing from Round 1 for each league will compete against each other (AL 2 vs. AL 3/NL 2 vs. NL 3).

• The NL matchup will occur first, followed by the AL matchup, with NL 2 and AL 2 choosing if they want to hit first or second.

• Each participant will receive seven outs.

• The winners from the Round 2 matchups (one from each league) will advance to Round 3 (semifinals).

Round 3 (Semifinals)

• The top seed from each league (AL 1, NL 1) will face the winner from his league's Round 2 matchup.

• The NL matchup will occur first, followed by the AL matchup, with NL 1 and AL 1 choosing if they want to hit first or second.

• Each participant will receive seven outs.

• The participant from each league with the most home runs will advance to the finals.

Round 4 (Finals)

• The semifinal winners (one player from each league) will compete for the crown of Home Run Derby champion.

• The batting order will be determined by a coin flip, which will be held at a meeting at home plate between the two finalists and their league captains (note that a finalist and team captain could be the same person).

• Each finalist will receive seven outs.

Tiebreaker(s)

• If two or more players are tied for advancement into the next round or for the championship, each player will receive three swings to hit as many home runs as possible. If they are still tied after three swings, they will each take one swing. This process is repeated if necessary until one player wins the swing-off.

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