MLB All-Star Game extra-inning rules [Updated 2023]

If the MLB All-Star Game is tied after nine innings, it will no longer be decided in extra innings, but instead by a home run derby

Well, it finally happened, folks! According to MLB writer Anthony Castrovince should the MLB All-Star Game be tied after nine innings the winner will be determined by a home run derby.

Prior to the MLB All-Star Game last year, the contest would always go to extra innings. The last time we saw the Midsummer Classic go to extras was in 2018. The American League defeated the National League 8-6 in 10 innings.

The AL entered the ninth inning with a 5-3. But Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett homered with one on and one out to send the game into extra innings. Back-to-back home runs from Alex Bregman and George Springer gave the AL a two-run advantage and a sacrifice fly from Michael Brantley put the game out of reach.

MLB All-Star Game extra-inning rules

So how will the 2023 MLB All-Star Game will be decided if it’s tied after nine innings? Each manager has preselected three participants, just as they did last year. Unlike last year, however, we don’t know who the three for the AL and NL are prior to the start of the game.

Each player will get three swings apiece and the team with the most home runs after all three participants have taken their cuts will be declared the winner. Since the Seattle Mariners are the hosts, the American League squad would bat second.

If, after all six batters have taken three swings apiece, the score is still tied, then each manager will select one player to participate in a head-to-head tiebreaker. This will continue until a winner is declared.

This new tiebreaker could certainly add some drama to tonight’s MLB All-Star Game and I’m sure that everyone, for a change, is rooting for a tie.