When Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X takes over Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Saturday, August 23, 2025, fans will be treated to more than just towering home runs and defensive fireworks. They’ll witness history. For the first time in the event’s four-year history, the competition will feature an all-women’s team, built entirely of Oklahoma softball legends and stars.
Headlining the roster of Sooners in the spotlight are Jocelyn Alo, Jayda Coleman, Kinzie Hansen, Tiare Jennings, Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, and Sydney Romero. Between them, the group has multiple Women’s College World Series (WCWS) titles, All-American honors, and a legacy of dominance that has reshaped the sport of softball. Now, they’re bringing that same power and swagger to the co-ed stage of Home Run Derby X.
Breaking Barriers: The First All-Women’s Team
Alo, Hansen, and Jennings will make history as the first all-women’s lineup in Home Run Derby X competition. While the event has always featured women stars paired with MLB legends, this Oklahoma trio stands alone — a testament not only to the Sooners’ unmatched reputation but also to the rising prominence of softball on the national stage.
“Home Run Derby X brings together MLB legends and the best from women’s baseball and softball, and I’m honored to be part of it,” Jennings said ahead of the event. “It’s not every day you get to put on a show like this, and I plan to make the most of it.”
Jennings, Alo, and Hansen are no strangers to high-pressure environments, having led Oklahoma to national championships and defining moments on the WCWS stage. Their entry into this arena signals both respect for their accomplishments and acknowledgment of softball’s growing influence in professional-style showcases.
Teams and Matchups
The Oklahoma influence stretches beyond the all-women’s roster. In fact, seven Sooners will be spread across three teams:
- Team Sooners (All-Women’s Team): Jocelyn Alo, Tiare Jennings, Kinzie Hansen
- Team Yankees: Nick Swisher, Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering
- Team Dodgers: Adrian Gonzalez, Jayda Coleman, Sydney Romero
- Team Royals: Lorenzo Cain, Reese Atwood, Amanda Lorenz
Each squad blends MLB alumni with today’s college and softball stars, offering a mix of nostalgia and forward-looking energy. For Sooners fans, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of crimson and cream talent — no matter which team takes the field.
Jocelyn Alo: The Face of Power
Of all the participants, Jocelyn Alo enters with the most Home Run Derby X experience. In 2024, she launched the longest home run in HRDX history and later hit a walk-off shot to seal a win. For a player known as the NCAA’s all-time home run queen, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter.
Alo’s reputation as a generational slugger makes her one of the event’s biggest attractions. Fans will want to see if she can outdo her own record and create another viral moment in Oklahoma City.
The Format: Fast, Fun, and Fan-Friendly
Home Run Derby X isn’t your typical home run derby. Instead, it blends the thrill of the long ball with the speed and creativity of defensive play.
Here’s how it works:
- Three Players Per Team: Each team is composed of three hitters.
- At-Bats: Each player gets one two-and-a-half-minute at-bat.
- Scoring: Teams earn offensive points for home runs and defensive points for catches.
- Bonus Targets: Extra points are awarded for hitting designated targets in center field.
- Hot Streaks: Players can call a five-pitch “hot streak” where points double.
The entire game lasts about 30 minutes, keeping the pace lively and the energy constant. It’s not just about brute power — it’s about strategy, timing, and even defense.
Stakes Higher Than Ever
This year’s competition comes with an added twist: a winner-take-all final in Salt Lake City on September 19-20. Each of the six preliminary events offers a ticket to the final, meaning Oklahoma City isn’t just an exhibition — it’s a qualifier.
Should Alo, Jennings, Hansen, or any of their Sooners teammates dominate, they could secure a spot in the Utah finale, keeping the Oklahoma connection alive deep into the HRDX season.
A Showcase for Women’s Softball
The inclusion of an all-women’s team in Home Run Derby X is more than a novelty. It’s a recognition of the incredible popularity and momentum softball has built, thanks in no small part to Oklahoma’s dynasty. The Sooners’ titles, ESPN viewership records, and viral highlights have pushed the sport into mainstream relevance.
By placing Alo, Jennings, and Hansen as a team, MLB isn’t just giving fans a treat — it’s sending a message. Women’s power hitting belongs on the same stage as men’s.
For fans in Oklahoma City, the symbolism couldn’t be stronger. Bricktown Ballpark sits just miles away from USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, the cathedral of the WCWS. Now, that same fanbase has the chance to celebrate its heroes in a new kind of showcase.
Star Power Across the Board
While Alo may be the headline, the other Sooners bring plenty of firepower.
- Ella Parker, a rising star, hit over .420 in 2025 for the Sooners and showcased her clutch gene with game-changing home runs in the postseason.
- Kasidi Pickering, another breakout player, led Oklahoma in slugging and emerged as one of the most feared hitters in the SEC.
- Jayda Coleman, known for her athleticism and clutch defense, brings balance and flair to her Dodgers squad.
- Sydney Romero, a former All-American and cornerstone of Oklahoma’s 2019 title team, provides veteran leadership and a connection to the program’s earlier years of dominance.
Together, they represent not just OU’s present, but its past and future.
More Than a Game
For Oklahoma City, the event is also an economic and cultural boost. Bringing a national showcase like HRDX to Bricktown Ballpark highlights the city’s ongoing role as a hub for softball and baseball fandom. Families, casual fans, and diehards alike will find themselves part of a high-energy spectacle that blends sport with entertainment.
The timing is perfect, too. With the WCWS long over, the Home Run Derby X gives Sooners fans a late-summer chance to reconnect with their heroes before fall sports begin.
Final Thoughts
Seven Sooners in one national showcase is no coincidence. It’s the direct result of a program that has redefined dominance in college athletics and produced stars that transcend their sport. Whether it’s Alo trying to outdo her record, Jennings soaking in another spotlight, or Romero reminding fans of the foundation she helped build, the crimson presence will be undeniable.
As the sun sets over Bricktown on August 23, Oklahoma fans won’t just be watching a derby. They’ll be watching their program’s impact echo across sports in real time — one towering home run at a time.
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