Major League Baseball just can't leave the Home Run Derby alone — and this time, they're taking a big swing at a fan favorite. After years of experimenting with brackets and buzzers, the league is heading back to basics with a format that hasn't been seen since 2014.
That's right: the outs format is making a comeback. According to The Athletic's Evan Drellich, who broke the news Wednesday evening, the 2026 All-Star Weekend will feature a revamped competition that rewards consistency over chaos. No more watching hitters run out the clock — now it's all about making every swing count.
How the new (old) format works
Here's the breakdown: In the first round, each batter gets 20 swings. The second round drops to 15 swings, and the same goes for the final round if they advance. But there's a clever twist that keeps the drama alive — if a slugger goes yard on their last allotted swing, they get an extra hack. And if they keep homering, they keep swinging until they finally make an out.
That means a hot hitter could theoretically turn a 20-swing round into a 25-bomb barrage, as long as they don't miss. It's a little like a video game power-up, and it should keep fans on the edge of their seats during a sports landscape full of unpredictable moments.
This isn't the first time MLB has tinkered with its midsummer classic. Over the past decade, the Derby has cycled through timed rounds, head-to-head brackets, and even a hybrid format that tried to blend the old with the new. The 10-outs-per-round system that dominated for years was scrapped in 2015, but many purists never stopped clamoring for its return.
Now, the league is listening — sort of. By capping swings instead of outs, they're keeping the pace brisk while still giving power hitters a chance to go on a tear. It's a compromise that aims to please both traditionalists and fans who crave the quick-hit excitement of modern sports.
Of course, not everyone is convinced this will fix what ails the Derby. Some critics point out that the real issue isn't the format — it's the lack of star power participating. But with the 2026 All-Star Game still on the horizon, there's plenty of time for baseball's biggest names to sign up and prove that the new rules can deliver fireworks.
For now, the reaction is a mix of nostalgia and cautious optimism. Will the outs format bring back the glory days of Josh Hamilton's 2008 show or Giancarlo Stanton's 2016 slugfest? Only time — and a lot of home runs — will tell.
One thing's for sure: MLB isn't afraid to swing for the fences with its All-Star events. Whether this change sticks or we're back to the drawing board in 2027, the Derby remains one of the most talked-about spectacles in sports. And if you need a reminder of how quickly things can get heated in baseball, just look at the chaos that erupted at a recent youth game — passion runs deep at every level.
What do you think of MLB's latest format flip? Are you ready to count swings instead of seconds, or do you miss the old 10-out system? Sound off in the comments — we want to hear your take on the future of the Home Run Derby.
