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BRING THE NOISE: MLB unveils new baseball format, Home Run Derby X, with global launch campaign

20 July 2022
Erika Piancastelli of the New York Yankees swings at a ball during the MLB Home Run Derby X in London
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The electrifying format, designed to attract a new audience to baseball takes MLB on a global tour

In March 2022, Major League Baseball announced the launch of MLB Home Run Derby X – an electrifying new baseball format that will go on a global tour in 2022. Home Runs and epic catches steal the show, while live music and ballpark culture push it to the next level.

Inspired by the success and simplicity of the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, Home Run Derby X has been developed with the goal of attracting a new audience to baseball. Working in partnership with Imagination, Home Run Derby X will create high-energy live event experiences and opportunities for digital storytelling.

The inaugural FTX MLB Home Run Derby X event in Crystal Palace Park, London attracted more than 1.2 million viewers via live stream and 6.9m total event views across MLB’s social channels where fans watched the Yankees beat the Red Sox 42-40 in the final. At the heart of the event was the electrifying new baseball format where 4 teams, each with an MLB Legend, a Superstar, a Rookie and Wild Card representing the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees battled it out in the pre-lims. The 3 rd place playoff saw Dodgers triumph over Cubs before the Yankees outslugged the Red Sox in the final, with Softball superstar Erika Piancastelli taking home the MVP award.

The baseball meets festival experience attracted both an existing and a new generation of baseball fans. Emma Saunders and Josh Denzel were hosts for the day and as well as home runs and epic catches, the thousands who attended were also treated to interactive baseball-inspired activities, ballpark food, a live performance by AJ Tracey, sets by Reprezent Radio DJs, Bisola and DJ GBE, as well at the opportunity to purchase exclusive MLB merchandise.

Click to watch how the event went down.