Second annual Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby set for Oct. 11

WILKES-BARRE — The second annual Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby will take place on Oct. 11 at Kirby Park.

The event, which is presented by Visit Luzerne County and the City of Wilkes-Barre, will again help celebrate the legendary mammoth home run that Ruth hit at nearby Artillery Park in 1926.

All proceeds will benefit the Geisinger Children’s Miracle Network/Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.

“We had such a great response and such a great reaction to last year’s Derby that we’ve decided to make it an annual event,” said Alan Stout, executive director of Visit Luzerne County. “Most people either said, ‘It’s about time we did something to commemorate that epic home run,’ or ‘Wow. I had no idea that happened here.’ Either way, that’s the reaction we were hoping for, and that’s exactly why we held the Derby. We wanted to celebrate a great part of local sports history and, for those unfamiliar with the story, make people more aware of it.”

The legend

On Oct. 12, 1926, Ruth — then in the prime of his career — visited Artillery Park in Wilkes-Barre to play in an exhibition barnstorming game between Hughestown and Larksville.

And on that day, he hit what he himself felt was the longest home run he’d ever hit.

According to reports, the ball was still rising as it cleared the right-field fence. It eventually landed in nearby Kirby Park.

Ruth himself was so impressed with the shot that he asked that it be measured. Some reports say it was the only time he ever made such a request in his life. And the tale of the tape showed that it was an estimated 650 feet. It is considered the longest recorded home run in baseball history.

About the Derby

Stout says the Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby — which honors that home run — is presented by both Visit Luzerne County and the City of Wilkes-Barre, with both Mayor George Brown and Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo offering full support.

“The fact that this huge Babe Ruth home run happened right here in Wilkes-Barre is something we should celebrate each year,” Mayor Brown said. “It’s been well-documented by sports historians, it’s an amazing story, and this Derby is a great way to note that while also doing something charitable.”

“It’s an event dedicated to honoring this iconic moment in local sports history,” added Crocamo. “This year’s Derby again promises to be an unforgettable tribute to Ruth’s legacy and the spirit of baseball that continues to unite us.”

The Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby has also received a full endorsement of The Luminary Group, which handles all Babe Ruth licensing of behalf of the Ruth family.

“The Babe’s people really loved the idea, and securing the licensing to use his name and likeness was not difficult,” said Stout. “Last year, we even got a very nice note from the Babe’s grandson, wishing us well and thanking us for doing something that honored his memory in an appropriate and respectful way. It’s so fitting that monies raised will benefit the Geisinger Children’s Miracle Network/Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, as the Babe loved kids and was charitable towards them. In fact, during his same visit to Wilkes-Barre in 1926 — during which he hit the 650-foot home run — he visited children at Mercy Hospital in South Wilkes-Barre, which is now owned by Geisinger.”

Today, a kiosk commemorating Ruth’s 650-foot blast stands in Kirby Park, adjacent to the main softball field, where the “Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby” will again be held.

This year’s Derby will be open to all men and women, ages 16 and up, who feel they are capable of launching a ball out of the ballpark.

There will be a male/female derby, and the distance of the fence will be modified for the women.

The Derby will offer “Sultan of Swat” awards for the male and female contestants who hit the longest home runs and “Bambino” awards for the male and female contestants who hit the most home runs. Participants will be eligible to win both awards.

Home runs will be measured using Rapsodo 2.0 technology, courtesy of Russ Canzler Sports.

The winner of each award will be presented with a large trophy and have their photo taken with the trophy in front of the Babe Ruth kiosk. Those photos will be shared with the media.

Derby day will begin at 11 a.m. with a three-inning softball game between City of Wilkes-Barre employees versus Luzerne County employees. The winner’s trophy will go to Mayor George Brown at City Hall or to Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo at the county’s Penn Place offices.

Last year, the county faced off against the city in an actual derby, with the city taking home the trophy.

Friendly trash talk

Additionally, Mayor Brown, a Phillies fan, made a friendly wager with Crocamo, a Yankees fan, that one of them must wear either a Phillies or Yankees jersey to work, depending on the victor. Shortly after the event, Crocamo wore a Phillies jersey to her office at Penn Place.

“With a renewed determination, our county vows to avenge last year’s loss in the competition,” says Crocamo. “We are confident that this year will be different, as we rally together in the spirit of camaraderie and competition. I’m not wearing the Phillies uniform again!”

“I already have a 2024 Babe Ruth Derby trophy in my office, and I fully intend to add another in October,” says Brown. “I have no intention of wearing Yankee pinstripes.”

Derby opening ceremonies will take place at 12 noon. The female derby will take place at approximately 12:10 p.m. and the male derby will take place at approximately 1:45 p.m. Food vendors and “Champ,” the official mascot of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, will be on hand. There will be no charge for spectators.

“Today, April 27, is National Babe Ruth Day,’ and so it’s the perfect day to announce that our Derby will be back again this fall,” says Stout. “Some of the hitters at last year’s event really put on a great show, which we know the Babe would have loved. We look forward to seeing our participants slug it out again in October.”

“Batter up!,” says Crocamo. “Join us as we celebrate the Sultan of Swing, the spirit of baseball, and the community that cherishes this timeless sport. Together, let’s make history once again! And remember — the Babe was a Yankee!”

To register to participate in the Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby, visit — www.visitluzernecounty.com