1st, I think HR Derby, as it is played during All Star Weekend, proves exactly how good MLB pitching is....when you see what these guys do with the baseball when they arent fooled and can dial in, its simply amazing....but after a while, it does get a little boring....I also believe that there are hundreds, if not thousands of beer league softball players that could hit a grooved heater out of a major league park(if you dont believe that, go to a softball field and watch a mens league sometime, they often have to invert the rules so that HRs are outs because so many guys go yard)....Anyway, heres my proposal....Starting in spring training, you open up a competition at spring games where anyone that wants to hit after the game can, and if in 3 at bats, you can hit one out, you advance to the next round. The competition would continue at minor league stadiums for the 1st month of the season. Rd 2 would be held regionally at single A stadiums until the field could be narrowed to a few hundred guys....then you set up super regionals at AA stadiums....then narrow the field further at AAA stadiums....then the final contestants head for major league stadiums and compete before big league games until someone wins at every division(so all divisions would have a rep at the all star weekend)....then those 6 guys get to participate in the real HR derby, with a ton of money at stack....I know you are thinking they wouldnt have a chance, but heres the kicker, through out the whole thing, ametuers get to use titanium bats!....the best ametuer power hitters with titanium bats would definitely challange the best big league sluggers with wooden bats as long as the pitches were grooved....Id love to see it, and it would make for fantastic television
I like your idea. Does this competetion have grooved heaters as well? Or do the pitchers get to try and get you out?</p> </p>
All grooved fastballs, just like HR Derby....none of the ametuers are going to be able to hit pitchers, but if you use a pitching machine, they should be able to consistently drive the baseball
