2022 MWBL CHRISTMAS CLASSIC HOME RUN DERBY

Matanzas Cuba – 12/25/2022

Despite a very cold & windy day, the Mid-West Baseball League held its 19th Annual Christmas Classic again this year on a chilly afternoon in Matanzas Cuba today.   A 52-degree day with the winds blowing in at a crazy 27 MPH, was not the perfect setting for the Mid-West Baseball League annual event.  Street vendors were out in droves selling hats, T-shirts, sunglasses, and anything they could make a buck on from Americans & other foreign tourists. Twelve MWBL players & families came together with masks on for a jolly old time of fun, very little sun, but yet some Home Runs.

The Christmas Classic is an annual event held during the Mid-West Baseball League End of season event, in which some of the league’s top home run hitters compete to see who can hit the most home runs in a three-round elimination tournament. This year’s event featured a mix of players from both the American League and National League, with each player taking turns hitting as many home runs as they could before accumulating 10 outs.

The first round of the Chistmas Classic was a thrilling one, with players from both the American League and National League showcasing their power at the plate.

Shohei Ohtani of the Fremont Cannons got off to a strong start, hitting 8 home runs in his first round. He was followed closely by Nick Castellanos of the Hollywood Werewolves, who hit 7. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Rosemere Renegades & Aaron Judge of the Baltimore Comets were next, who hit 6 home runs.

As the first round came to a close, it was clear that the competition was going to be fierce, with several players putting up strong home run totals. The stage was set for an exciting second round as the above players looked to advance to the next stage of the competition.

The second round of the Chistmas Classic was a closely contested battle, with two players looking to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Ohtani and Tatis both put on a display of power, launching a series of impressive home runs that thrilled the crowd. Castellanos and Judge also had their moments, hitting a number of long balls that had the fans on their feet.

Shohei Ohtani of the Fremont Cannons and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Rosemere Renegades both moved on by hitting 5 home runs. Nick Castellanos (4) & Aaron Judge (3) fell short but were great teammates each rooting now for their league representatives in Ohtani & Tatis Jr..

As the second round came to a close, it was clear that these two players had distinguished themselves as the top home run hitters in each league. The stage was now set for an exciting final round, with Ohtani and Tatis Jr. squaring off for a chance to be crowned the Mid-West Baseball League Christmas Classic – Chistmas Classic Champion.

The final round of the Chistmas Classic was a showdown between two of the top home run hitters in each league: Shohei Ohtani of the Fremont Cannons and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Rosemere Renegades. Both players had already put on impressive displays of power in earlier rounds, and the stage was set for a thrilling finale.

Ohtani got off to a strong start in the final round, hitting 9 home runs in quick succession. Tatis, however, struggled to find his rhythm, hitting only 4 home runs. Despite a valiant effort, Tatis was unable to match Ohtani’s power at the plate, and the Cannons slugger emerged as the winner of the Christmas Classic.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Ohtani was crowned the champion, celebrating his impressive display of power at the plate. It was a fitting end to a thrilling Christmas Classic, with Ohtani cementing his place as one of the top home run hitters in either league.

Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Fremont Cannons in the American League, led the field with a total of 22 home runs. He was followed closely by Fernando Tatis Jr. of the National League’s Rosemere Renegades, who hit 15 home runs. Nick Castellano’s of the Hollywood Werewolves and Aaron Judge of the Baltimore Comets also had strong showings, hitting 11 and 9 home runs, respectively.

In the end, it was a closely contested battle, with several players putting up impressive home run distances, averages, & totals. But in the end, it was Ohtani who emerged as the winner, hitting a total of 9 home runs in the final round to secure the title.

The Chistmas Classic is always a showcase of some of the top home run hitters in the Mid-West Baseball League, and this year’s event was no exception. Players from both the American League and National League took to the plate to showcase their power, and the results were impressive.

Leading the way in terms of average home run distance was Pete Alonso of the Selkirk Steelers, who finished with an average of 444 feet per home run. He was followed closely by Salvador Perez of Long Beach Dirt Bags, who had an average home run distance of 441 feet. Rounding out the top three was Yordan Alvarez of the Chicago Mobsters, who finished with an average home run distance of 438 feet.

Leading the way in terms of longest home runs hit was Salvador Perez, who launched a massive 503-foot home run that left the crowd gasping in awe. He was followed by Pete Alonso, who hit a home run that traveled 485 feet, and the eventual Christmas Classic Champion Shohei Ohtani, who hit a home run that traveled 487 feet.

Rafael Devers & Yordan Alvarez also had impressive showings, hitting home runs that traveled 476 and 496 feet, respectively.

At the other end of the spectrum was Avisail Garcia of Sacramento Despite his shorter home run, he was still happy to participate saying “This is a great event, I wish more owners & players would participate”.

It was a thrilling event, with some of the best home run hitters in the league showing off their power at the plate. From the longest home runs hit to the shortest, it was a memorable day for all of the players involved.

The Christmas Classic Rules are posted here.