The second annual “Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby” will take place on October 11 at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre. The event, which will be presented by Visit Luzerne County and the City of Wilkes-Barre, will again help celebrate the mammoth homerun that Ruth hit at nearby Artillery Park in 1926. All proceeds will benefit the Geisinger Children’s Miracle Network/Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.
On October 12, 1926, Ruth – then in the prime of his career - visited Artillery Park in Wilkes-Barre to play in an exhibition barnstorming game between Hughestown and Larksville. And on that day, he hit what he himself felt was the longest home run he’d ever hit. According to reports, the ball was still rising as it cleared the right-field fence. It eventually landed in nearby Kirby Park. Ruth himself was so impressed with the shot that he asked that it be measured. Some reports say it was the only time in his life that he ever made such a request. And the tale of the tape showed that it was an estimated 650 feet. It is considered the longest recorded home run in baseball history.
Today, a kiosk commemorating Ruth’s 650-ft. blast stands in Kirby Park, adjacent to the main softball field, where the “Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby” will again be held. This year’s Derby will be open to all men and women, ages 16 and up, who feel they are capable of launching a ball out of the ballpark. (There will be a male/female derby, and the distance of the fence will be modified for the women.) The Derby will offer “Sultan of Swat” awards for the male and female contestants that hit the longest home runs and “Bambino” awards for the male and female contestants that hit the most home runs. Participants will be eligible to win both awards. Homeruns will be measured using Rapsodo 2.0 technology, courtesy of Russ Canzler Sports. The winner of each award will be presented with a large trophy and have their photo taken with the trophy in front of the Babe Ruth kiosk. Those photos will be shared with the media.
Derby day will begin at 11 a.m. with a three-inning softball game between City of Wilkes-Barre employees to Luzerne County employees. The winner’s trophy will go to Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown or Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo. Derby opening ceremonies will take place at 12 noon. The female derby will take place at approximately 12:10 p.m. and the male derby will take place at approximately 1:45 p.m. Food vendors and “Champ,” the official mascot of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, will be on hand. There will be no charge for spectators.
To register for the Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby, visit www.visitluzernecounty.com
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