It’s an age-old question for MLB fans when it comes to extra innings in regular season games: Should I stay or should I go? After Tuesday’s epic ending at the 2025 All-Star Game, that question could have a shorter shelf life.
In case you missed it, the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta ended with a home run swing-off after the game was tied 6-6 after nine innings – the first-ever time it was ever used in a game.
2025 MLB All-Star Game: Full Home Run Swing-Off | MLB on FOX
In what amounted to a mini version of the Home Run Derby, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber’s MVP performance sealed the win for the National League All-Stars over the American League – officially a 7-6 win for the NL.
The swing-off was the big talking point of the game, with players and managers alike both confused and amazed at the previously little-known format – which had been approved in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
First off, here’s how it worked:
- Three players from each team were picked;
- Three swings for each player, who could face however many pitches thrown by the pitching coach;
- The team with the most home runs wins!
"It was great," Schwarbar later said. "People were really in it. They were screaming, shouting, making me happy at every swing. And then when he was last finished, they were all pumps. It was very fun."
Kyle Schwarber 2025 Al-Star MVP wins, how has MLB changed? , cluster
After Tuesday’s game, it raised unavoidable questions: Will you be in favor of watching it in the real regular season game?
“It will be interesting to see where he goes. Perhaps there is a world where you can see in the future, where it is probably in some regular season mixture,” said Yankis captain Aaron Boon, who managed the AL team. “I mean, if people start talking about it, I will not be surprised.”
But Bune soon reduced it with the desire to implement it in real games.
“Obviously, I don’t think it should be, or at any time in the near future. But I have to say, you know, it was very exciting.”
This was the spirit shared by the NL counterpart of the bole. Dosters’ manager Dave Roberts said that he still prefers the current additional “Ghost Runner” rules of a player on the second basis from the 10th innings.
“I think it was great for this exhibition, but in a regular session, I have no objection to how it plays with man on a second basis in a regular season,” Roberts said.
The Ghost Runner Rules were used in the Covid-19 affected season in 2020 before the approval of 2022 CBA was fully implemented. For example, as soon as possible we will look at any swing-off rules that the green light will be for 2026 CBA dialogue-which can be a big issues to deal with.
Regardless, at least it’s here to live for all-star game-and can actually be fan Party After nine frames for a tie ballgame.
“I found a group text with a group of other baseball players around the league, and they really liked it,” said the veteran Logan Web. “I think it was a great way to eliminate it.”
Want to give the right stories for your inbox? Make or log in your Fox Sports Account And follow the league, team and players to get an individual newspaper daily!
recommended
Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
