Major League Baseball is rolling out pivotal changes to the Home Run Derby’s rulebook and structure in anticipation of this summer’s showdown. Announced on Sunday, the alterations are engineered to freshen up the competition and intensify the excitement.

This year, contestants in both the opening round and the semifinals are capped at a maximum of 40 pitches, with a time limit of three minutes to swing for the fences. After exhausting their initial pitches, hitters are granted three bonus outs to continue their attempts. Moreover, participants have the chance to unlock an additional bonus out, provided they launch a home run that travels at least 425 feet during their bonus play.

When the action boils down to the finals, the stakes are adjusted slightly. Finalists will face a tighter constraint, having to make do with a maximum of 27 pitches and only two minutes on the clock.

A notable departure from tradition is the shift away from an eight-player bracket format. Now, all eight entrants will slug it out in the preliminary round.

The four sluggers amassing the highest totals will progress to the next stage, with seeding from one to four determined by their performances. In the event of a tie, the length of the competitors’ longest homers will act as the tiebreaker.

The ensuing matchups will see the top seed squaring off against the fourth seed, while the second and third seeds will duel separately in the semifinals.

Gunnar Henderson, the dynamic shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, has emerged as the first confirmed participant. His announcement came during a live interview broadcasted on “Sunday Night Baseball”, amidst the Orioles’ clash with the Texas Rangers.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Arlington, Texas, the Home Run Derby promises to be a highlight of the summer, taking place on July 15, a day ahead of the All-Star Game. The Derby seeks to crown a new champion, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays entering as the reigning victor, eager to defend his title in this electrifying contest.