Major League Baseball Changes Rules for the 2026 Home Run Derby
大聯盟更改 2026 年全壘打大賽規則
Introduction
Major League Baseball has announced that the 2026 Home Run Derby will move from timed rounds to a set number of swings. Additionally, the league has chosen a new broadcasting partner for the event.
美國職棒大聯盟宣布，2026 年的全壘打大賽將從計時賽改為設定揮棒次數。此外，大聯盟已為該賽事選擇了新的轉播合作夥伴。
Main Body
The 2026 Home Run Derby will take place on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. For the first time in eleven years, the league is removing the clock and returning to a swing-limited format, which was last used in 2014. This change is intended to help players save energy and allow for a slower, more controlled pace of play. Furthermore, the media rights for the event have moved from ESPN, the long-time broadcaster since 1994, to Netflix.
2026 年全壘打大賽將於 7 月 13 日在費城的公民銀行球場舉行。十一年來首次，大聯盟將取消計時並恢復限制揮棒次數的模式，該模式最後一次使用於 2014 年。此項變更旨在幫助球員節省體力，並讓比賽節奏更慢且更可控。此外，該賽事的媒體權利已從 1994 年起長期轉播的 ESPN 移交給 Netflix。
Regarding the rules, the first round will feature eight players, and each will be allowed 20 swings. The top four performers will move to the next stage; if there is a tie, the player with the longest single home run will advance. In the second round, a seeded bracket will be used, pairing the first-ranked player against the fourth, and the second against the third. Both the second and final rounds will limit players to 15 swings each. In these stages, ties will be decided by a three-swing playoff. However, if a player hits a home run on their final swing, they can continue hitting until they miss. Finally, the league emphasized that bonus rounds have been removed from the competition.
關於規則，第一輪將由八名球員參加，每人允許揮棒 20 次。表現最好的四名球員將晉級下一階段；若出現平手，則由單次全壘打距離最長的球員晉級。第二輪將採用種子分組，由排名第一的球員對陣第四名，第二名對陣第三名。第二輪與決賽均將球員限制為每人 15 次揮棒。在這些階段中，平手將透過三次揮棒的附加賽決定。然而，若球員在最後一次揮棒時擊出全壘打，則可持續擊球直到失手。最後，大聯盟強調，競賽中已取消加分賽。
Conclusion
In summary, the event will return to swing-based limits and will be broadcast for the first time on Netflix.
總結來說，該賽事將恢復揮棒次數限制，並將首次在 Netflix 上轉播。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'Logical Glue' Shift
At the A2 level, you likely use and, but, and because. To reach B2, you need Connectors of Transition. These words act like glue, showing the reader how one idea relates to the next without starting a brand new sentence every time.
Look at these 'Upgrades' from the text:
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Instead of 'Also' Use Additionally or Furthermore.
- A2 Style: Also, the league chose a new partner.
- B2 Style: Additionally, the league has chosen a new broadcasting partner.
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Instead of 'But' Use However.
- A2 Style: But if they hit a home run, they keep going.
- B2 Style: However, if a player hits a home run on their final swing, they can continue.
-
To wrap up a thought Use In summary.
- B2 Style: In summary, the event will return to swing-based limits.
🛠️ Precision Patterns: "The Passive Voice"
Notice how the text says: "A seeded bracket will be used" instead of "The league will use a bracket."
Why this matters for B2: In professional or academic English, the action is often more important than who did it. When you stop focusing on the subject (I, We, They) and focus on the object (The Rules, The Event), your writing immediately sounds more sophisticated.
Try this mental switch:
- A2: Netflix will broadcast the game. (Simple)
- B2: The game will be broadcast on Netflix. (Professional/Passive)
💡 Vocabulary Bridge: Descriptive Adjectives
Stop using 'slow' or 'fast' alone. B2 students use Compound Descriptors to provide more detail:
- Swing-limited format: (Not just a 'rule', but a specific type of format).
- Long-time broadcaster: (Not just 'old', but a partner who has been there for a long time).
- First-ranked player: (Precise positioning instead of saying 'the best player').