Overview of the MLB Home Run Derby

The MLB Home Run Derby is played just before the Major League Baseball All - Star Game. This contest is to determine which team can hit the most number of home runs. It is generally for the top MLB home run hitters. State Farm Insurance sponsors this event. The event's previous sponsors are Service Merchandise and Century 21 Real Estate. The top eight players on the All-Star Game are generally selected to play. The players who score the most number of home runs move on to the next level.

Until 1991, the Home Run Derby was a two-inning event. In 2000, the structure was changed with a match play format for the second round. In this format, the player having the most number of home runs faced the player having the least number. This format of play was discontinued in 2003.

Generally, four National League players and four American League players were selected for the Home Run Derby. Only in the year 2005, Major League Baseball changed the rules wit each player representing their country rather than the league they belong to. Home Run Derbies played during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 used the Golden Ball once nine outs are reached by a player. If a home run was hit using the Golden Ball, Major League Baseball and Century 21 Real Estate donated $21,000 per run to charity. In the years 2005 and 2006 up to $294,000 was raised towards charity. In 2007, State Farm allotted $17,000 per home run raising $255,000 for charity that year.