BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University baseball team will be hosting its largest media event of the 2019 season Wednesday as the Bulldogs welcome members of the local TV, radio and Website outlets to Joe Lee Griffin Field for the Sixth-Annual Samford Media Home Run Derby.
 
The contest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. (CT) and is open to the public. Admission is FREE.
 
For the sixth-consecutive season, Samford and Head Coach Casey Dunn will be hosting the event to  reward and thank the local media for all of its hard work and tireless coverage. Participation in the annual  Home Run Derby has grown each year and lunch from Hamburger Heaven will be provided for the competitors after the event.
 
Wednesday's contest will begin at 11 a.m., with a practice round. All competitors will get five swings apiece to warm up as Dunn pitches throughout the event. A temporary fence will be set up in the outfield to serve as a "special" home run  boundary.
 
Following the practice round, the Home Run Derby will begin as all participants will receive 10 swings. The top five hitters will then advance to the second round of competition where they will be granted five swings apiece.
 
The championship round will feature the top two home run hitters of the second round, and the competitor who tallies the most round-trippers will win the event and earn the trophy.
 
Last season, Blake Gardner of the Samford Sports Network won the event. Gardner and Nic Gulas, formerly of CBS 42 tied with 13 total home runs, but Gardner was able to claim the championship in a special "Home Run-Off."
 
In 2014, Kevin Scarbinsky won the inaugural Samford Media Home Run Derby, while WJOX's Joe Hunk claimed the title in 2015. Gulas won the 2016 event, while Mark Prater took home the 2017 crown.
 
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