<P> The event has grown significantly from its roots in the 1980s, when it was not televised . Prior to 1991, the Home Run Derby was structured as a two - inning event with each player receiving five outs per inning, allowing for the possibility of ties . It is now one of the most - watched events broadcast on ESPN . </P> <P> In 2000, a "match play" - style format was instituted for the second round . The player with the most home runs in the first round faced the player with the least among the four qualifying players, as did the players with the second - and third-most totals . The contestant who won each matchup advanced to the finals . This format was discontinued after the 2003 competition . </P> <P> The field of players selected currently consists of four American League players and four National League players . The first Derby in 1985 featured five from each league, and the 1986 and 1987 events featured three and two players from each league, respectively . In 1996, the field was again expanded to ten players, five from each league (though in 1997, the AL had six contestants to the NL's four). </P> <P> In 2000, the field reverted to the current four - player - per - league format . The only exception was 2005, when Major League Baseball changed the selection criteria with eight players representing their home countries rather than their respective leagues . The change was believed to be in promotion of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, played in March 2006 . In 2006, the selection of four players from each league resumed . In 2011, the format was revised so that team captains selected the individual sides . </P>

Who gets chosen for the home run derby