Ben Rice is embracing the spotlight, and he is not buying into one of baseball’s oldest superstitions. It was learned Tuesday that the New York Yankees slugger will participate in the 2026 Home Run Derby on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. While the announcement generated excitement across baseball, it also sparked familiar concerns among Yankees fans who worry that taking part in the event could disrupt Rice’s swing during the second half of the season.
Rice, however, does not share those concerns. Speaking to reporters, he pointed to one major difference between this year’s competition and the format used in recent seasons.
Rice Welcomes the New Home Run Derby Format
“The timer format is way different than what it is for this upcoming one,” Rice explained, according to reports. “That one, the timing format, that’s way different. We never, in BP, are swinging like that, back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back. I would be so tired.”
His comments reflect one of the biggest rule changes for this year’s Derby. For the first time since 2014, Major League Baseball is removing the clock from the competition. Instead of racing against time, hitters will receive a fixed number of swings. According to Evan Drellich and Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic, each participant will get 20 swings in the opening round and 15 swings in each of the final two rounds.
Rice believes the adjustment is a step in the right direction. “I think it’s a positive change,” he said.
Yankees Leaning on Rice’s Bat
The timing of Rice’s Derby appearance has drawn additional attention because of his importance to the Yankees’ lineup. With captain Aaron Judge expected to remain sidelined until at least the middle of August as he recovers from a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side, Rice has become the club’s primary offensive producer.
Entering Wednesday, statistics showed Rice leading the Yankees with a .273 batting average, 26 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a .941 OPS. Those numbers have helped keep New York in the American League East race, although the 50-41 Yankees still trailed the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, who sat at 53-36 after Tuesday’s games.
Given Rice’s production, some fans fear even a brief slump following the Derby could have meaningful consequences for a Yankees team trying to stay within striking distance of first place.
Boone Looking Forward to a Family Moment
Yankees manager Aaron Boone is focusing on a different part of the story.
Rice’s father, a former pitcher at Brown University, will throw to his son during the Home Run Derby, creating one of the more personal moments of All-Star Week.
“I know he’s doing it with his dad, so there’s that father-son baseball component to it,” Boone said. “Hopefully, it’s a lot of fun and meaningful to the entire Rice family. Hopefully, he goes there and does well, and it’ll be a springboard for him in the second half.”
Whether the Derby becomes a boost or simply an enjoyable memory remains to be seen. Rice clearly believes the revised format removes much of the physical strain that fueled past concerns, while Boone sees an opportunity for a memorable family experience. The Yankees, meanwhile, will be hoping their hottest hitter returns from Philadelphia swinging exactly the way he has throughout the first half, because with Judge unavailable and the Rays holding the division lead, every game after the All-Star break could carry added weight in New York’s push toward the postseason.
