Home Run Derby X success in London, Seoul and Mexico City
The new baseball format launched by MLB involved international baseball and softball stars such as Adrian Gonzalez, Erika Piancastelli and Stefania Ardillas.
The Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox had one win each as the Home Run Derby X tour - the new baseball format, launched by Major League Baseball (MLB) to attract a new audience - reached London, England, Mexico City and Seoul, Korea.
Home Run Derby X has a format similar to other Home Run Derbies with the area of play a little smaller, with the home run fences brought in and the field width at 45 degrees rather than 90 on a traditional baseball field. The pitcher and batter perform on a stage.
In July, the New York Yankees, led by softball Olympian Erika Piancastelli (Italy), outslug the Boston Red Sox at Crystal Palace Park in London.
The Red Sox eliminated the Cubs, while the Yankees beat the Dodgers despite a great effort by former MLB All-Star and Olympian Adrian Gonzalez (Mexico).
The Yankees prevailed in the final over the Red Sox, 42-40. Nick Swisher contributed with 13 points.
In September the Dodgers earned the win at Paradise City in Seoul.
The Red Sox, led by KBO's all-time leader in hits, Yong Taik Park, eliminated the Yankees despite seven home runs by Tae Kyun Kim.
The Dodgers edged the Cubs. Former Korean Olympic speed skater Yoongy Kwak made two catches that would prove the key to a one-point win.
Gonzalez contributed 20 points to the 60-55 win by the Dodgers against the Red Sox in the final.
MLB and Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league fans mixed in the standings.
Jocelyn Alo, a Women's Professional Fastpitch star, powered the Red Sox to their first win in October at Campo Marte, Mexico City.
The Red Sox beat the Cubs in the preliminary game and faced the Dodgers, who eliminated the Yankees, in the final.
Alo stepped to the plate with the Red Sox down by 15 points in the final. She hit 17 home runs, scoring 24 points.
One of Alo's homers travelled 410 feet (125m). "I know that [the men] can hit the long ball and stuff, but just me being a woman and showing how strong I am, I want girls all over the world to just have that motivation in them that they can do this as well," Alo told the MLB website.
