Another homerun derby

This is something I kind of have an issue with also. Man, what is with me. I used to always have a definite opinion on everything, and now I waver all the time.

There was a home run contest for a bunch of high school prospects, held at Tropicana Field.

Some of the issues I have with it:

1. Its a homerun derby. Haven't we learned from the All-Sham game what a mistake that is.

2. They invited the 60 best power prospects from the US, plus 10 international players. There is so much more to the game than just hitting homeruns. Just like there is more to basketball than a slam dunk.

Things I like about it:

1. They invited 10 international players. Even though they didn't do well, its great to see them getting a chance.

2. Wooden bats were used through the first 10 outs, when they switched to aluminum. Hey, its a start.

3. Babe Ruth's granddaughter handed out the trophies. Hey, anything that keeps the Babe name rolling is a good thing.

4. One of the players, Bryce Harper of Las Vegas High School, hit one measured at 502'. Impressive.

There was also a Dante Bichette sighting, of the junior kind. Wonder if dad was there to watch?

So, its baseball. And they are doing a good thing by letting international players compete. But why a Home Run derby? Do those things really serve any purpose except to screw up a guys swing? And if you're a high school hot shot prospect, why would you participate? This isn't a good thing, in my opinion.