2015 Home Run Derby Weather: Latest Forecasts and Updates on Exhibition

Tyler ConwayJul 13, 2015

Monday's Home Run Derby in Cincinnati could be in danger of postponement, as inclement weather has hit the city ahead of the event.

Thunderstorms are expected throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service, which is calling for a downfall "between a half and three-quarters of an inch." The worst of the rain is expected to subside by 10 p.m. ET, which at the very least puts the festivities at Great American Ball Park in danger of a delay.

However, organizers expect the competition to take place as scheduled.

ESPN Confident Derby Will Take Place; Rules Tweaked to Avoid Severe Weather

Monday, July 13

SportsCenter noted the changes, stating there would be a four-minute running clock, batters will get an extra 30 seconds after every two homers that travel further than 425 feet and that there will still be a 45-second timeout. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com noted the changes were put in place because severe weather is expected at 11 p.m. EDT.

MLB currently plans to start the Home Run Derby at 8 p.m. ET, and for the moment, ESPN is confident it will be able to get the Derby in, via C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"We are going to do everything possible to get in the Home Run Derby," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney told Stark. "If not, we will immediately announce plans."

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported the event could be scheduled for the early afternoon on Tuesday if it is rained out.

Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal shared an image of Great American Ball Park as the event edged closer:

"
Weather update: Could be worse! pic.twitter.com/uqQNErQFxG
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) July 13, 2015"

It was a dramatic difference compared to a previous image Banjo shared on Twitter of the storms surrounding the park earlier in the day:

CBS Sports' Eye on Baseball blog also captured the high winds in the area midway through the afternoon:

As the severe weather moved through the area, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout shared some of the sounds he was hearing in the city:

Last year's event in Minnesota was also delayed for weather but was ultimately completed. As Sports Illustrated noted, only one Derby in history has been canceled due to weather—which also happened to be in Cincinnati in 1988.

MLB was hoping a new head-to-head format would reinvigorate interest in the Derby, so any delay or cancellation would obviously be a frustrating blow. Baseball officials are assuredly hoping the weather subsides in time for the field to be ready by 8 p.m. ET.