Apr 23, 2012
[April 23, 2012] OMAHA, Neb. – College baseball’s top sluggers will again compete under the lights of TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in the annual TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby at 7:30 p.m. CDT, on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. The event, produced by Intersport, promises more excitement and entertainment for baseball enthusiasts and families with new rule changes to liven competition, a musical act and the grand finale – the 28th annual Omaha World-Herald fireworks display.
The College Home Run Derby will feature some of the nation’s premier power hitters facing off in an elimination-style format. Competitors will be selected from a pool of eligible players that have ranked among the nation’s home run leaders during the 2012 college baseball season. The event will air nationally on CBS at 1:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 8, 2012.
Among the new reasons to attend this year’s event are:
Independence Day Fireworks
For the second straight year, TD Ameritrade has partnered with the Omaha World-Herald to present the 28th annual Omaha World-Herald Fireworks show honoring Independence Day. The 22-minute fireworks show will be the largest in Omaha and one of the most dramatic pyrotechnic displays throughout the Midwest through the holiday.
On-field Musical Act
Presenting sponsor Miller High Life will give military veterans a piece of the high life by providing them with a special experience and recognition during the event. Miller High Life is also bringing the rock group, Cowboy Mouth, best known for hits spanning two decades including, Love of My Life, Everybody Loves Jill, Easy and Jenny Says to the College Home Run Derby. The group will perform a short set to entertain fans between the conclusion of the Derby and the start of the fireworks display.
The ‘Bonus Ball’ and other New Opportunities to hit the Long Ball
The College Home Run Derby includes three rounds of play: Round 1 featuring all eight contestants, Round 2 featuring the top four performers after Round 1, and Round 3 featuring the top two performers after Round 2. New for 2012: balls reaching the warning track will not count as an ‘out,’ giving players another opportunity at bat, and the introduction of the ‘Bonus Ball.’ Following the tenth and final out of each ‘at bat,’ contestants will have an opportunity to hit a home run with the ‘Bonus Ball.’ If successful, the special ball will tack two additional home runs onto the contestant’s total score. The ‘Bonus Ball’ will be thrown in each round of Derby play.
Early-bird Prizes
It pays to start early. This year’s College Home Run Derby will feature a special incentive for the first 2,500 attendees to enter the ballpark. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
“The heart of the College Home Run Derby has always been fans and families, and we want to give them and our athletes a memorable experience,” said Fred Tomczyk, president and chief executive officer at TD Ameritrade. “Attendee feedback has helped us to continue improving this event year after year, and thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to once again fill the sky with fireworks and enhance the on-field entertainment, making this year’s event our biggest, and hopefully the best, yet.”
Tickets on Sale Now
Tickets for the 2012 TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby are $8 for children, $12 for adults, or a ‘Family Four-Pack’ for $35. Tickets may be purchased in-person from the CenturyLink Center arena box offices, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or online at collegehomerunderby.com. Handling fees will apply to those tickets purchased over the phone or online, but not to those purchased in-person.
More information, including participating players and other notable participants, will be released in the coming weeks. Follow the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby on Facebook and Twitter for the latest event updates and information.
For media credentials, please contact Nick Owen at 312-644-5231 or nowen@intersportnet.com.
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation and the Omaha World-Herald are separate unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other’s services or policies.