CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Shawn Green & Adam Kennedy Named Home Run Derby Captains

Published on June 12, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


Rancho Cucamonga, CA - The Quakes are proud to announce a couple of exciting additions to the U.S. Bank Home Run Derby, as former big-leaguers Shawn Green and Adam Kennedy will serve as captains for the event.

Green, who is no stranger to home runs, is the Dodgers' all-time single-season home run leader, as he smashed 49 long-balls back in 2001. The following year, Green tied a Dodger franchise record, which is also a major league record, by swatting four home runs in a single game. Green, who spent five of his 15 major league seasons with the Dodgers, will be the captain of the California League team.

A former Dodger, as well as a former Quake, Kennedy wasn't quite as prolific at hitting round-trippers as Green, but Kennedy had one of his greatest big-league moments when he clubbed three home runs in a single game, with that game just happening to be the fifth game of the ALCS, which he was later named Most Valuable Player of. Kennedy, who actually wore a Quakes' uniform in four different seasons, including in 2012 when he rehabbed as a member of the Dodgers, will captain the Carolina League team.

The captains won't just be there to cheer on their respective teams though, as they'll directly impact the actual derby itself.

In a unique twist, Green and Kennedy will have the opportunity to "Load the Bases" during round one. When the captain chooses to "Load the Bases", the hitter will have three chances to hit a grand slam, which will count as four home runs, rather than one.

The most unique addition to the derby will be a "Pros" vs. "Joes" twist, that will ultimately pit two fans against six All-Stars. With a ticket to the All-Star Game and a donation of just $5 to the Inland Empire United Way, "Joes" will have the opportunity to take five swings on Softball Field 3, adjacent to LoanMart Field. This stage of the derby will take place between 3pm and 5pm and will be a first-come, first-served opportunity using softballs, rather than baseballs.

The top two home run hitters will then go on to compete against the six California / Carolina League hitters in the next stage of the derby, where all eight contestants will be swinging for the fences at LoanMart Field, using official California League Baseballs and wood bats provided by Game 1 Sports.

At 5:30pm, three California League All-Stars plus one "Joe" qualifier will take on the three Carolina League All-Stars plus their one "Joe" qualifier. Round one will see each of the eight participants get ten outs, with the top home run hitter from each team moving to the final round.

In the final round, the last two participants will receive eight outs, with the slugger who tallies the most home runs in that round being named U.S. Bank Home Run Derby Champion. The Quakes will be honoring the U.S. Bank Homerun for Kids Donation throughout the Homerun Derby, meaning the Quakes will donate $10 to the Inland Empire United Way for every homerun.

Fans that wish to participate in the "Joes" portion of the U.S. Bank Home Run Derby are reminded that this is a first-come, first-served opportunity, with registration starting at 2:30pm and the derby to get underway at 3:00pm on Softball Field 3, adjacent to LoanMart Field. Participants must also have a ticket to the game in order to qualify for the derby.

Tickets to the California vs. Carolina League All-Star Game, presented by WaBa Grill, are available right now by going to rcquakes.com or by calling (909) 481-5000.

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California League Stories from June 12, 2015


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