We Had Our First Pioneer League Home Run Derby To Decide A Game And It Was Electric

We heard about the Pioneer League adding a home run derby instead of extra innings a few weeks back, and we got our first look this weekend. The Rocky Mountain Vibes took on the Grand Junction Rockies and the game was tied after 9. No stupid runner on second, no extra innings, bring out the L screen and lets hit some dingers. Each teams picks a batter who gets to see 5 pitches. Most home runs after those 5 pitches is winner, if it's still a tie you go to a sudden death derby. It's so much better than how Manfred and MLB handle it now, I'd take this 10 times out of 10 over the guy on second. 

The Vibes won on the "walk off" by Manny Olloque with this shot above. He didn't know if it was fair off the bat but was able to keep it between the poles and the Vibes go nuts. We've said it before but you want to bring more excitement to a game? Here ya go, don't throw a guy on second and watch guys bunt and sac fly him to a win. Get your big boppers, turn the music up and lets do a HR Derby to declare a winner. I love it, the fans love it, I want to see more of it. 

Look at how jacked up the team was too, counts as a W in the book so you might as well treat it like a normal walkoff. Has to be kind of deflating for the other team and it all kind of ends up on one guys back for the losing team. Gotta trust your pitcher too because it's 5 pitches not 5 swings, not 5 outs. Throw bad pitches in a HR Derby and you can lose a game! I love the ump just standing back here too acting like he's doing his job. Gotta give credit to the Pioneer League for this, we're only 1 derby into the season and I think it's a hit. Now feed me a few more of these this week, need to see more game winning dingers.

PS. The Vibes mascot literally is Guy Fieri.