All-Star Game Updates

I've received the following news on the All-Star Game this week.

First of all, Ender Inciarte will start now due to the promotion of Lake County outfielder Anthony Gallas.  Congratulations to him for moving into the starting role.

Secondly, Yazy Arbelo will participate in the home run derby on Monday night.  Below is the text of the press release from Quad Cities announcing the participantsm, but note the fact that it's not a true home run derby.  I don't know why teams mess with the derby...or at the very least, don't call it a home run derb if it's going to truly be a skills competition:

As the host of the 2011 Midwest League All-Star Game, the River Bandits are honored to announce the participants in the 2011 Midwest League Home Run Derby.

Participants from each division were chosen based on their individual statistics in the categories of home runs, batting average, RBI, stolen bases and a wild card spot. Five players were chosen from each division and will compete along with one local media participant that will be rewarded for winning a Quad Cities media-wide home run contest.

The players selected are listed below with the category for which they were selected:

West Division Hitters (Team) – Category (Stat)
Mike Walker (Wisconsin) – Home Runs (10)
Greg Rohan (Peoria) – Average (.346)
Daniel Ortiz (Beloit) – Runs Batted In (41)
Travis Witherspoon (Cedar Rapids) – Stolen Bases (27)
Cody Stanley (Quad Cities) – Wild Card

East Division Hitters (Team) – Category (Stat)
Yazy Arbelo (South Bend) – Home Runs (16)
Marcus Knecht (Lansing) – Average (.341)
Derek Dietrich (Bowling Green) – Runs Batted In (33)
Michael Crouse (Lansing) – Stolen Bases (19)
Jake Blackwood (Fort Wayne) – Wild Card

The 2011 Midwest League Home Run Derby will differ from competitions of the past in that it will be more of a hitting display than simply a home run hitting contest. Sponsored targets will be set up around the outfield that will reward hitters with points and prizes for themselves and fans or charities when specific targets are struck. Players will still be heavily rewarded for home runs but will also receive points for different areas of the field, as well as having points deducted for hitting foul balls or not making contact with a pitch. In the end, total points will determine the winner in the three-round contest.