- The MLB introduced ‘Home Run Derby X’ on Wednesday, which will travel the globe in an attempt to grow the game
- No one actually knows what the hell it is
- Read more MLB news here
Major League Baseball has been trying to find ways to grow the game for years.
Whether that means hitting new age ranges and demographics, or promoting the sport around the globe, the league has been trying to knock the stigma of being “an old man’s game.”
On Wednesday, the MLB unveiled an event called ‘Home Run Derby X,’ which is a traveling show that will make stops in London, Seoul, and Mexico City. Former players Nick Swisher, Geo Soto, Jonny Gomes, and Adrian Gonzalez will headline the event, which is a spin on the traditional HR Derby we’ve becoe accustomed to.
Those players were selected due to their affiliation with the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Cubs.
The road show will have a new set of rules, new ballpark dimensions, and, hopefully, an exciting final product. But the MLB’s initial release confused fans more than it did excite them.
Bring. The. Noise. Introducing MLB Home Run Derby X. Who’s in? https://t.co/wo2ID03jMq #HomeRunDerbyX pic.twitter.com/9phYueLWJy
— MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2022
Making things worse, the link to the event’s description was broken, resulting in a whole lot of “what did I just watch?” posts in the comments section.
Fans Confused By Home Run Derby X Teaser
Fans were left baffled by the new event’s teaser, and they let it be known with their comments.
Some wondered if this was the best way for the league to promote itself to a new generation. Many offered a different solutions like stop blacking out local games for fans or market the younger players.
Others just asked, “What is this?”
I’m still not sure they’ve gotten their answer.
I have no idea what this means
— Mitchell Nagy (@mryannagy) March 30, 2022
Just play the game. Stop with the dumb rules changes and the gimmicks. The Game is just fine. Stop trying to ruin it. pic.twitter.com/Xtc3gY1CJK
— Tim Mocarski (@mocarski_p) March 30, 2022
This commercial perfectly explained what MLB Home Run Derby X is. Thanks guys 👍
— spencer~ (@Spenred) March 30, 2022
Explain this in MLB terms?
— 🦌🏆💍 (@SnellSZN) March 30, 2022
Great marketing MLB! I watched that entire video and have no clue what the hell this is!
— TheMetsAreNotPain?🇺🇦 (@moose99lgm) March 30, 2022
What the hell is this? I literally have no idea how this is different than the usual HR derby
— Kevin (@KevQwx) March 30, 2022
— Lines in the Dirt (@LinesInDirt) March 30, 2022
This video gives no information at all, and then when you do find out what it is it has nothing to do with active players like the video made it seem like…
— Fielding Wooters (@Fwoots) March 30, 2022
MLB posted a cringey trailer for something called Home Run Derby X that doesn’t explain what it is, stars a ton of commercial dancers I am confident have never watched baseball, and links to a 404 page. I’m moving my estimate for remaining life of the league from 25 to 15 years https://t.co/YLVWCVStGP
— Andrew Rogers (@BIGANDER) March 30, 2022
Someone explain Home Run Derby X to me like I’m 8 please
— Noah Clement (@CoachClement_) March 30, 2022
Name an ‘MLB Legend’ as defined by Home Run Derby X, I’ll start: Marco Scutaro
— Michael Bradburn (@MWBII) March 30, 2022
Me trying to understand the Home Run Derby X pic.twitter.com/33XlVQFqAp
— Kacy Standohar (@kacystandohar) March 30, 2022
Do you understand any of Home Run Derby X
— FAX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFAX) March 30, 2022
Does anyone understand what is happening tho? What is home run derby x? Thanks for a music video with sports and fire lmao but what is it https://t.co/tpbhl1pam5
— BlueLineBlueShirts (@BLBlueShirts26) March 30, 2022
MLB: we need to grow the fanbase
The Fanbase: end blackouts, make games more accessible
MLB: Home Run Derby XJust let us access the product…that’s literally the number one thing you could do to grow the game
— Rachel (@ItsReallyRach) March 30, 2022
Hey MLB can we get rid of outdated mechanisms like arbitration and service time so we can better suit our players and grow the game for a younger audience?
MLB: Home Run Derby X! Where you get to see your favorite Tik Tokker take BP in Europe https://t.co/xjcQJJ5Zbj
— Marlon Olsson (@MrDrFunnyMan) March 30, 2022
Fans: “make proper adjustments to the game, change the local market TV restraints for easier streaming, and market the players better”
MLB: Home Run Derby X
— Fresh Prince (@FreshPrince_PHI) March 30, 2022
does anyone have any thoughts about the home run derby X because my only thought is "why"
— baseballin' (@inthephanattic) March 30, 2022
Home Run Derby X appears to be a huge swing and miss for the MLB thus far.