MLB Home Run Derby to feature timed rounds with bonus time for distance

For the second straight year, MLB has announced changes to the Home Run Derby format.

For the second straight year, MLB has announced changes to the Home Run Derby format.

This year's edition will feature an eight-player bracket with the hitters seeded by number of home runs hit through July 7. Each batter will have five minutes to hit as many home runs as possible, with bonus time awarded for long homers. The length of the home runs will be tracked by MLB Advanced Media's Statcast technology, which is publicly available for the first time this year. 

Hitting a home run with less than one minute left on the clock will stop the timer and it will not start again until a swing that does not result in a home run. Each batter will also be allowed one 45-second timeout per round. 

2015 Gillette HR Derby presented by Head & Shoulders introduces new format, featuring brackets & timed rounds. pic.twitter.com/e3sFa1qxBp

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 28, 2015

• Andrew McCutchen back in lineup after being hit by pitch

In last year's Derby, a hitter's turn ended after he had seven “outs,” or swings that did not result in a home run. Previous editions of the Derby limited batters to 10 outs.​

The 2015 Home Run Derby will be held on July 13 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. 

- Dan Gartland