Home Run Derby Time it up. Hit it out. 10 outs.
A free online home run derby for baseball and softball hitters. Batting practice from the hitter’s eye: tap Swing as the ball gets to the front of the plate. Early pulls it, late goes oppo, and perfect timing leaves the yard.
- Baseball + fastpitch
- Righty or lefty, 4 levels
- Free · no sign-up
Home Run Derby
Swing as the ball reaches the front of the plate. Any swing that isn’t a homer is an out. Takes are free. Space bar works too.
How the derby works
Home runs come from timing first. Every pitch is batting practice. Your job is to be on time: tap Swing as the ball reaches the front of the plate.
- Perfect (within 22 ms) usually leaves the yard, even to center.
- Early swings get pulled. A little early is a pull-side homer. Way early is a swing and miss.
- Late swings go the other way, where the fence is shorter but the ball doesn’t carry as far. Way late is a foul ball.
- Swinging at a ball costs you distance. Takes are always free.
Scoring
You get 10 outs. Any swing that isn’t a home run is an out, just like the real derby. About one pitch in eight is a gold ball: hit it out and it counts twice. At College and Elite, a slower pitch sneaks in now and then to keep you honest. Fences are 330 down the lines and 400 to center in baseball, and 200 and 220 in fastpitch.
Training guide
What it trains
Timing: starting the swing at the right moment so the barrel meets the ball out front.
Who it’s for
Younger hitters learning timing, and any hitter who wants a fun, scored timing rep.
How to get better
- Start the swing earlier than feels natural. Most misses are late.
- Watch the ball out of the hand, not the plate.
- Play in short rounds and try to beat your best score.
- Then take the same timing into front toss and live pitching.
Read more on the Backspin Blog
- Bat Path and Timing: The 9-Millisecond Window
- Hitting Timing, Decisions & Adjustments
- How to Hit a Fastball: Start Early, Be On Time
- Do Reaction Games Help Hitters? Train the Brain
Next step: run the free Hitter Combine to find your #1 priority, or train this skill start to finish in the Hitting Processor course.
Questions
Is there a free online home run derby game?
Yes. The AHD Home Run Derby runs free in your phone or computer browser with no app and no sign-up. Pick baseball or fastpitch softball, a level and which side you hit from.
How do you hit more home runs in the derby?
Timing. Swing as the ball reaches the front of the plate. A perfect swing leaves the yard, early swings get pulled and late swings go the other way. Hitters who keep the same rhythm every pitch hit the most.
Does it work for softball?
Yes. Switch to fastpitch for a windmill pitcher, a yellow ball and softball fences.
What are gold balls?
About one pitch in eight is a gold ball. Hit it out and it counts as two home runs.
Does a home run derby game help real hitting?
It trains timing: being on time and reading the ball out of the hand. Real power also takes bat speed and a good swing, which the AHD programs build.