Published: June 23, 2009 03:56 pm      

Clinton's first home run derby a smash

By Scott McNeish

Herald Assistant Sports Editor

CLINTON — The first-ever home run derby in Clinton delivered as advertised.

Peoria infielder Rebel Ridling had a lot to do with that.

The Chicago Cubs prospect swatted 12 home runs to top Milwaukee Brewers first-round pick Brett Lawrie in Monday night's Midwest League All-Star Home Run Derby at Alliant Energy Field.

Ridling, a 25th-round selection out of Oklahoma State, belted three dingers in the first round, four in the second and five in the final to claim the title.



“I thought once I had the timing, I would be able to hit a few out,” said Ridling, who also won a home run derby in high school. “Then I got the timing and took advantage of it.”

Clinton also hosted the league's All-Star Game in 1976, 1988 and 1998. But those midseason showcases did not feature a home run derby.

Lawrie, the No. 16 overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft, hit one homer off the scoreboard in the finals, finishing in second with five total round-trippers.

“I just wanted to try my best and get the fans going a little bit,” said Lawrie, the highest-ever draft pick out of Canada. “I got a little tired toward the end there, but it was great to be a part of this.”

Burlington outfielder Nick Francis and Great Lakes second baseman Jaime Pedroza each belted three homers. League home run and RBIs leader Kyle Russell from Great Lakes mashed two over the Lumber Lounge in right. Cubs No. 1 prospect Josh Vitters managed just one bomb down the left-field line.

Clinton outfielder Denny Almonte received the loudest ovation from the thousands on-hand.

Batting left-handed, Almonte roped multiple bullets down the right-field line, but each sliced foul. He finished with no home runs.

“I'm so thankful to all these people who were cheering me on,” Almonte said. “I feel like I kind of let them down, but I had fun out here. That's what this thing is about — having fun.”

Some of the 13 contestants said Monday's weather caused rapid fatigue. Temperature displays at the contest’s onset read 96 degrees.

Ridling, however, said the humidity had no effect. It actually helped him stay loose.

“When it's this hot out, you take a couple practice swings, and you're ready to go,” he said. “It was probably worse for the (players) who have to sit and watch.”

The Midwest League sluggers faced a pitching machine during the contest and reported problems picking up the ball. Players train their eyes to track the ball during a pitcher's circular delivery.

The machine doesn't provide such a motion.

“You could tell it affected some of the guys,” Lawrie said. “It takes a while to get used to. You know when a guy who has 17 home runs this year (Russell) only hits two, something's up.”

Lawrie batted first in the finals. After a short massage at the plate from teammates, he pelted the top of the scoreboard beyond the left-field wall.

Ridling took it from there.

He crushed three consecutive home runs early in his round, the second of which carried past the Coors Light picnic pavilion in left, over the home clubhouse fence and into the players' parking lot.

To the crowd's delight, he lifted two more tape-measure shots, closing Clinton's inaugural Derby with an impressive power surge.

“It was a lot of fun,” Ridling said. “I think we put on a pretty good show.”