What to know about Home Run Derby X

The stage is set and it's on its way: July 9 will be here sooner than you imagine and when it does, Home Run Derby X will have launched and there will be no going back.

Since this is a brand new competition in a brand new location -- at least for baseball; the Crystal Palace dinosaurs might have some words about that -- you may be wondering just what to expect from the event. You're in luck. Today, we're offering up a little more information.

So, just what is HRDX? Well, in simple terms, it's a home run derby with some brand new rules and twists to bring in more players, more excitement, and more ways to score points than ever before. But it's also a full festival day of fun and food. Hip-hop star AJ Tracey is headlining the London event, but check back soon for more information regarding the other musical acts and just what tasty treats await you.

As for the rest of HRDX information, read on below.

So, what is a home run?

Hey, no shame here if you don't know. It's when a batter hits a pitched baseball over the outfield fence. It's extremely difficult to do under any circumstances and these players are going to try and smash as many over the wall within 25 pitches as possible.

As former Red Sox great Ted Williams once said, "The hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat, squarely."

When is it?

The first event kicks off in London at Crystal Palace Park on July 9. Seoul, Korea, follows on Sept. 17, while Mexico City finishes the first year's tour on Oct. 15. Check back soon for venue and ticketing information.

• Get your HRDX tickets now

Wait, a baseball field in Crystal Palace Park? Isn't that going to upset those dinosaurs you previously mentioned?

Yes! Home Run Derby X isn't going to be played at usual baseball stadiums! Rather, the event is going out and creating a new, modified field in places just like Crystal Palace Park. The field will be more narrow than a traditional baseball field -- and each field may have unique features depending on their local location, just like Major League fields.

Oh, and the dinosaurs will be undisturbed unless someone really crushes a home run.

So, this is just a normal home run derby?

No. Did you not see the X? But in all seriousness, this takes a home run derby and adds new twists and ways of scoring. Batters still get a point for every ball they hit over the outfield fence, but now there are four targets within the field of play that they can also aim for. Hit one of those and you earn a point. Unlike other HR derbies you may have seen, this one also features defense! Yes, now the opposition in the "catch zone" can earn points by snagging balls out of the air.

A Major League game requires teams to be good both when hitting at the plate and playing in the field -- HRDX now rewards both skills.

Batters will also get 25 pitches with which to score as many points as possible before it moves on to the next hitter.

Who is taking part?

There are four teams playing in this tournament, represented by four of the biggest, oldest, and most storied franchises in Major League history. They are the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Cubs, who will be facing off for the rights to proclaim themselves the international home run derby champions. Each team also has four players. Making up those are Legends (former players from each team), Superstars (a women's baseball or softball player), Rookies (men's player from development system), and Wild Cards (Content creators who are getting coached up to be ready for the tournament). The Rookies will be announced soon.

And just who are all those players?

I'm so glad you asked.

Boston Red Sox

Jonny Gomes, MLB Legend
Paige Halstead, Superstar
Liv Cooke, Wild Card

Chicago Cubs

Geo Soto, MLB Legend
Alex Hugo, Superstar
Spencer Owen, Wild Card

Los Angeles Dodgers

Adrián González, MLB Legend
Ashton Lansdell, Superstar
Yoongy Kwak, Wild Card

New York Yankees

Nick Swisher, MLB Legend
Erika Piancastelli, Superstar
Stefania Aradillas, Superstar (Mexico only)
Daniel Corral, Wild Card

Will I be able to see them?

100%. Here's another fun wrinkle with HRDX: The pitcher and the batter will be on raised platforms. Should be a little easier for them to stand out -- no matter how big the hat on the person in front of you is.

What if I can't make the event. Can I still watch it?

You bet. The event will be streamed online, but more information will be available as we get closer to July 9th.

Is this going to be fun?

You better believe it. We'll update the site with new information as we have it, so be sure to check back.