MLB State Farm Home Run Derby 2011

Written by Roger Mayflower
Monday, 11 July 2011 08:44

Everything is ready for the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby at the Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.

Let's view all one needs to know about the 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby: start time, participants, rules, predictions and odds.

The MLB Home Run Derby 2011 start time is at 8:00 PM ET. Televised on ESPN, the event will also air on ESPN HD, ESPN 3D, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV, and ESPN Radio and ESPN International. The State Farm Home Run Derby will also be featured online this year; MLB Advanced Media and the MLB Players Association announced the first ever official Twitter and Facebook interaction into the Home Run Derby with video and photo content shot by players during the event distributed across social media and posted to MLB.com.

The 2011 edition of the State Farm Home Run Derby promises to be an absolute blast. Top sluggers in the world of baseball come together to strike gold balls made with genuine 24-karat gold leather. Gold balls are in use during the tenth out of the game since 2005; however, this will be the first time that the State Farm Home Run Derby ball will actually be infused with 24K gold.

American League 2011 MLB Home Run Derby Participants:

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays.

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox.

Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees.

National League 2011 MLB Home Run Derby Participants:

Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers.

Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals.

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers.

These are the MLB Home Run Derby rules:

Four hitters from each league compete in a three-round event. In the first round, each player gets 10 "outs" to hit as many home runs as possible. Any swing that does not result in a home run is an out. Players are not required to swing at every pitch.

Players with the top four home run totals go to the second round. In case of a tie, a five-out swing-off determines who advances. Totals from the first round will carry over to the second round. The two players with the most total home runs proceed to the final.

From there, the finalists start over and again get 10 outs, and the hitter with the most home runs is champion. Once each hitter reaches nine outs, a distinctive gold ball is used.

With Baseball trying a different Home Run Derby format this year, the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby is an excellent opportunity for some fun and exclusive gambling opportunities.

One can bet on the State Farm Home Run Derby by picking sides in the battle between AL and NL, as well as putting your money on a single player of your choice.

Tonight's game predictions prefer the American League, as their choice of sluggers is proven both for the year and in the competition. Baseball's home run star, Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays, enters the game as the favorite thus making handicappers pick his chances.

Use the secure sportsbook comparison tool to select a sports book where to bet on the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby.

These are the current odds to win the 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby: Jose Bautista 3/1, Matt Holliday 7/2, Prince Fielder 7/2, David Ortiz 15/4, Matt Kemp 7/1, Adrian Gonzalez 9/1, Robinson Cano 9/1, Rickie Weeks 11/1.