DENVER, COLORADO – JULY 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the 2021 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
According to the Associated Press, if the MLB All Star Game is to go to extra innings, the contest will be decided by a Home Run Derby.
The MLB lockout officially ended on Thursday after a 99-day standstill, as the league and player’s union voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement. As for what is in the new deal, there are a variety of things, one of which is related to the All Star Game, and it is quite interesting.
The Associated Press obtained the memorandum signed between the MLB and MLBPA and inside of it features a change to the All Star Game. If the contest is still stuck in a tie at the end of the ninth inning, then the winner will be decided in a Home Run Derby.
Here is the excerpt provided by the Associated Press
“If the All-Star Game remains tied after nine innings, the game will be decided by a Home Run Derby between the teams, subject to the parties’ agreement on details and format,” reads exhibit 13, titled “Tentative Agreement — All-Star Game and Home Run Derby.”
MLB changed rules for All Star Game
That’s right, no more extra innings in the All Star Game. In its place, a Home Run Derby to determine a winner between the American League and National League.
This is not the only thing that the Associated Press reported, as they also wrote that the memorandum stated that both the league and the players union will discuss a mid-game concert for the Midsummer Classic.
It will certainly be interesting to see take place. Imagine a potential battle between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Pete Alonso in a winner-take-all Home Run Derby.