Clemens to face Clemens in Derby
The Home Run Derby has become a fixture and a highlight at All-Star Games everywhere. The 2010 Texas League All-Star Game, to be hosted by the RockHounds at Citibank Ballpark, is no exception. But this Home Run Derby will have something very few -- if any -- other contests have ever seen: One of the greatest pitchers of all time on the mound, and one of the players he'll be pitching to is his son.
"We're grateful to Roger for wanting to be part of this event," RockHounds general manager, Monty Hoppel said. "It was really Roger's idea and we think it will make the Home Run Derby a very special and unique part of the All-Star Game. It will be something that will become part of our franchise's history, and of Texas League history."
Koby Clemens will be one of eight Texas League hitters taking part in the Derby, representing the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Houston Astros in the contest.
In nearly two decades in the Major Leagues, Roger Clemens won 354 games and an all-time record seven Cy Young Awards, striking out 4,762 big league hitters in the process. An 11-time Major League All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Roger pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees (twice) and the Houston Astros.
Koby, who was selected by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Memorial High School in Houston, led all of Minor League Baseball with 121 RBIs in 2009. He has been one of the top power hitters in the Texas League in 2010, his first full season at the Double-A level.
The 2010 Texas League Home Derby, presented by State Farm Insurance, will also bring together local organizations and charities that benefit West Texas boys and girls. Each Derby contestant will represent a youngster, and the organizations will receive ballpark recognition and a block of tickets to a future RockHounds home game.
Lineup of hitters, organizations:
| Player | Texas League Team (MLB Club) | Local Organization |
| Steven Hill | Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis ) | Big Brothers / Big Sisters |
| Joey Butler | Frisco RoughRiders (Texas) | Boys & Girls Club of Odessa |
| Aaron Luna | Springfield Cardinals (St.Louis) | Boys & Girls Club of Midland |
| Matt Clark | San Antonio Missions (San Diego) | Autism Network of the Permian Basin |
| Mike Moustakas | NW Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City) | Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) |
| Koby Clemens | Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston) | American Cancer Society |
| Clint Robinson | NW Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City) | High Sky Children's Ranch |
| Alex Valdez | RockHounds (Oakland) | Rays Of Hope |
The Home Run Derby will run from 5:55 p.m. until 6:35 p.m., with the All-Star Game's first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Here is a quick run-down of the rules for the Home Run Derby:
First round
Each batter will have six outs, including foul balls, swing-and-miss or balls that do not leave the park, to hit as many home runs as possible. The top two home run hitters in the first round will advance to the Finals. In case of a tie in the first round, the player with the most home runs during the first half of the season will advance to the Finals.
Final round
The top two home run hitters in the first round will have nine outs in the Finals.
If a tie occurs after those nine outs, there will be an extra inning granting an extra three outs per batter. If there is still a tie after the extra inning, the player who hit the most home runs in the first round will be crowned Champion.
Award ceremony
State Farm will present each player and each youngster with a participation plaque, and the Home Run Derby champion will also be honored.