KC Royals announce a home run derby with World Series heroes — and defense
When Reds pitcher Brady Singer returned to Kauffman Stadium this week, he raved about the spacious dimensions.
Singer, the former Royal, and other MLB pitchers love Kauffman Stadium’s reputation for not being a home-run friendly stadium. That will be put to the test later this year when Home Run Derby X comes to The K.
The Royals on Wednesday announced the event will be held Sept. 13.
Home Run Derby X is described as “an exciting 3-on-3 co-ed competition built around power hitting and athletic catches, with events in each city featuring four teams, each led by an MLB legend and female player from softball and women’s baseball.”
Five members of the Royals 2015 World Series championship team will take part in the event in Kansas City: Ben Zobrist, Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.
The Royals said they’ll compete against a team of former MLB players who were vanquished by KC in the 2015 playoffs. That includes former New York Mets Daniel Murphy and Michael Cuddyer and players who were with the Toronto Blue Jays.
U.S. national women’s softball player Amanda Lorenz and former Sooners star Tiare Jennings also will take part in the competition, the Royals said.
Here are highlights from a Home Run Derby X event last year.
Home Run Derby X rules
The Royals shared the rules for Home Run Derby X:
- Each player gets 1 at-bat of 2 minutes and 30 seconds
- During an at-bat, the opposing team is in the outfield to make catches
- Teams are awarded defensive points for catches and offensive points for home runs
- Bonus points are earned by hitting home runs through a center field target
- A batter is allowed to call for a “hot streak” of five swings where everything counts double
- In the final minute of an at-bat, batters can tag in a teammate to “finish with a flourish”
The Royals said tickets go on sale Friday but there will be a presale for season ticket holders on Thursday.
This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM with the headline "KC Royals announce a home run derby with World Series heroes — and defense."
