By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor
As part of the Burbank Civitan Day Hap Minor Baseball Jamboree, the City of Burbank Park and Recreation Department hosted the first-ever “Hap Minor Baseball Home Run Derby.” The special event was held at Schafer Ballfield last Friday night and was offered only for the 7th – 9th grade baseball divisions.
Fences were set at 235 down the line and 250 to center field. A total of 62 players participated during the three round contest. Justin Palafox of the Sandoval Dodgers Elite won the Home Run Derby with 22 home runs.
Round One Rules:
1. Players will receive 10 pitches. No practice swings.
2. Every pitch will result either in an out or a home run.
3. The top 8 players with the highest home run count will move on to round two. There could be more than 8 players advancing depending on ties. If the 8th player is tied with other players, they will move on as well.
Players advancing after round one: Carter Kessinger (Blue Jays), Andrew Gold (Padres), Jerry Solano (Padres), Mark Montano (Padres), Owen Ruiz (Padres), Dru Tilton-Sheldon (Redman Pirates), David Phillips (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), Dominic Dominguez (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), Justin Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), Nathan Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), Joel Micioni (Sandoval Dodgers Prospects)
Round Two Rules:
1. Home run count will reset and all participates will start back at zero.
2. Players will receive another 10 pitches. No practice swings.
3. Every pitch will result either in an out or a home run.
4. The top 3 players with the highest home run count will move on to round three. If there is a tie for advancing the tie breaker will be a combination of home runs hit in the first and second round. If the players are still tied they will hit 5 additional pitches each. This will continue until we have a final three.
Players advancing after round two: Nathan Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), David Phillips (Sandoval Dodgers Elite), and Justin Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite)
Round Three Rules:
1. Home run count will reset and all participates will start back at zero.
2. Each player will get 10 outs in the third round. Home runs are not outs.
3. Every pitch will result either in an out or a home run. Unsuccessful home runs will be an out.
4. The player with the most home runs in round three will be considered the home run derby champion. First and second place ties will be determined by another 5 pitches. Second and third place ties will be determined by total home runs hit during all three rounds.
FINAL RESULTS:
1st Place – Justin Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite) with 22 home runs
2nd Place – David Phillips (Sandoval Dodgers Elite) with 15 home runs
3rd Place – Nathan Palafox (Sandoval Dodgers Elite) with 7 home runs
