Trentonian Blogs: Minor Matters: Hello from the Home Run Derby

Reading's FirstEnergy Stadium, from above

Welcome to Reading's FirstEnergy Stadium, the site of the 2012 Home Run Derby and Eastern League All-Star Game.

While what's going on tonight is being called a home run derby, that's a bit of a misnomer -- it's a hitting challenge.

Instead of the top five or so power hitters from each league trying to swat BP fastballs out of Reading's friendly confines, every hitter will get his chance at glory.

Each player gets 2 minutes to hit as many of the on-field targets -- pink lawn flamingos, a golf ball retriever like you'd see on a driving range, and interns on a trampoline and suspended from a crane are just a few of the examples of where the 31 assembled hitters will be aiming.

Here's how the hitters will line up, starting at 7:15 -

Group 1 - Pitcher: Dusty Wathan, Reading manager

Leandro Castro - Reading

Chris Herrmann - New Britain

Crazy Hot Dog Vendor

Melky Mesa - Trenton

Bryce Brentz - Portland

Ryan Goins - New Hampshire

Eric Campbell - Binghamton

Mike Spidale - Reading legend and current IronPig

Group 2 - Pitcher Dave Machemer - Richmond manager

Ramon Cabrera - Altoona

Tommy Joseph - Richmond

Thomas Neal - Akron

Robbie Widlansky - Bowie

Eury Perez - Harrisburg

Chris Rahl - Harrisburg

Buck Britton - Bowie

Brock Holt - Altoona

Group 3 - Pitcher: Bob Milacki, Reading pitching coach

Sebastian Valle - Reading

Surprise hitter

Troy Hanzawa - Reading

Jefry Marte - Binghamton

Cesar Hernandez - Reading

Mike McDade - New Hampshire

Mark Sobolewski - New Hampshire

Darin Ruf - Reading

Group 4 - Pitcher: Ken Joyce - Richmond pitching coach

Jeff Kobernus - Harrisburg

Jordan Lennerton - Erie

Daniel Mayora - Richmond

Niuman Romero - Erie

Ricky Bottalico - former Phillies closer

Surprise hitter

Jonathan Schoop - Bowie

As a bit of a happy bonus, each hitter is playing for charity. The more points he earns, the more money is donated on his behalf to one of the many United Way Partner Agencies. For example, Melky Mesa is playing for the Family Guidance Center, the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is hitting for the American Red Cross and Erie's Jordan Lennerton will earn money for the Salvation Army.

For more details on what is going to be a crazy evening, here's a YouTube video posted by the R-Phils in February explaining how everything will be run:

I'll have some video later of Mesa, the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor, and plenty of other footage from tonight's festivities, so check back often.

Update - 6:30: There's quite the party going on on the infield dirt. Here are a few pictures from the action.