The mid-summer classic event is getting a makeover in 2024 as the MLB announces new rules for the Home Run Derby. The competition is set to take place on July 15 at Globe Life Field in Arlington on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.

The changes won’t be as drastic as in 2015 when the MLB went away from the outs format. However, this year’s format will still look a little different.

Pitch Limit

In prior competitions, there hasn’t been a formal maximum number of pitches that a hitter can see in any given round. The first two rounds will now conclude when the three-minute time limit has expired or when 40 pitches have been thrown. Whichever comes first. Likewise, with the final round, it will be two minutes or 27 pitches. That excludes bonus rounds.

No Timer for Bonus Pitches

At the 2023 Home Run Derby, the rules were hitters would get an automatic 30 seconds added at the end of regulation. If they hit two home runs of at least 440 feet during the regulation period, then they got an extra 30. That will no longer be the case. Now, the bonus period will continue until the batter records three outs. If the player hits a home run over 425 feet during the bonus period, they get an extra out.

Knockout Style Begins in Semi-Finals

Last year, the entire derby was a single elimination bracket. Each player was seeded No. 1 through No. 8 based on how many homers they had coming into the event. This made the entire competition a “knockout-style” with a player needing to win three separate one-on-one matchups to win the overall title.

This year, that element of one-on-one showdowns is still there… it’ll just be happening one round later. The first round will determine the seeds for the semifinal matchups.

Should there be a tie in the first round, the winner will be determined by the longest home run.

For the most part everything else will stay the same. The timing aspect is still there with each of the first two rounds will last three minutes, and the final round will last two minutes. Each batter is still entitled to a 45-second timeout in each of the regulation periods. Ties in the semifinals or finals will be broken by a 60-second swing-off, after that it will continue with a successive three-swing “swing-offs” until there is a winner.

So, this year’s Home Run Derby may look a little different with these rules. Change is good though. This will make the HR Derby more exciting.

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