2009 State Farm Home Run Derby Preview

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

ST. LOUIS MISSOURI (July 13, 2009) Here is the batting order for the State Farm Home Run Derby at the 2009 MLB All Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

1. Nelson Cruz-Texas Rangers
2. Prince Fielder-Milwaukee Brewers
3. Brandon Inge-Detroit Tigers
4. Adrian Gonzalez-San Diego Padres
5. Carlos Pena- Tampa Bay Rays
6. Ryan Howard-Philadelphia Philles
7. Joe Mauer-Minnesota Twins
8. Albert Pujois-St. Louis Cardinals

I am picking Albert Pujois to win it all. The home town player must have the advantage.

Here are the rules for the contest:

Opening Round
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The four players with the most home runs hit in the Opening Round advance to the Semi-Final Round.

Semi-Final Round
• Home runs totals from the first round will carry over to the second round.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible per at bat.
• The two players with the most home runs in the Semi-Final Round advance to the Championship Round.

Championship Round
• Home runs from the first two rounds do not carry over to the Championship Round; Opening and Semi-Final Round totals are cleared from the board.
• Each player gets 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible.
• The player who hits the most home runs in the Championship Round is declared the Home Run Derby champion.

Rules
• An out is registered when a player swings at a pitch and does not hit a home run.
• A ball hit over the fence must be fair to count as a home run.

I will update the results after the first round.