Payson Roundup

Age restrictions have been removed from one of the summer’s most hotly contested athletic events.

This year, players of all ages may now participate in the town parks and recreation-sponsored home run derby.

In past derbies, only those 18 years and older could enter because the prize money for the winning teams was supplied by the Mazatzal Casino. It’s pact with the state restricts minors from participating in any type of the enterprise’s activities.

So, Town of Payson Recreation Leader Joseph Harris has worked out a contest modification where those under 18 can compete, but not for the prize money the casino awards.

Instead, those younger than 18 years will compete in their own division and for team and individual prizes supplied by the P&R department.

Harris is sure the changes will help “this year’s home run derby trump all.”

The derby tees off at 6 p.m., July 24 on the Rumsey II softball field.

The entry fee is $75 for a team of three hitters.

As in past years, the Mazatzal Casino will donate to the charities of the top teams’ choice.

The first-place team will receive $500 to donate, the second-place team earns $200, and the third-place team can give $100 to its charity.

Individually, the man and woman who hits the most home runs will receive a grand prize valued at more than $100.

For the derby, each batter on the teams of three will be allowed 15 pitches and 10 swings in the first round.

“So, there is basically five pitches that can be rejected,” Harris said.

In the second round, all hitters have 10 pitches only.

The cumulative scores from both rounds will be tabulated and the top three scoring teams will advance to the finals.

There, hitters will begin with a score of zero and have 10 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible.

Should there be any ties, a “sudden death” one pitch overtime will decide the winners.

Probably the most tense moments of any of the past derbies occurred in the 2006 battle for the men’s division championship.

In regulation play, the Payson Physical Therapy team of Scott Nossek, Matt Sopeland and Mark Lyons tied with the Little Bit Late team of Shawn Hanson, Paul Johnson and Kenny Willis. Both squads slugged a total of 33 home runs each.

With the tie, then-tournament director Charlene Hunt called for an overtime in which each player received one pitch to try to hit the ball out of the park.

Because both teams hit two home runs each, another tie resulted.

A second overtime was called and this time around the tie was broken when Payson Physical Therapy blasted two home runs and Little Bit Late failed to score.

For the upcoming derby, the traditional restricted flight softballs will be stored away and much hotter softballs will be used during the final rounds.

“In the past we have used .47 core 525-pound compression balls,” Harris said. “This year for the second and third rounds, we will be using .50 core, 650-pound compression balls — that’s a lot of heat.”

The good news for those power hitters who own state-of-the-art, high-dollar bats outlawed in most ASA and USSSA play, is that the widow-makers will be permitted in the derby.

Also, the women’s portable home run fence will be set up 200 feet from home plate.

For the men, a home run is one hit over the regulation fence about 285 feet from home plate and 10 feet high.

Hitters supply their own pitchers who must throw from the rubber.