Every summer, baseball fans gather to witness raw power and epic swings during the MLB Home Run Derby. But what if you could turn those monster homers into a social, slightly tipsy, memory-making experience? Enter: the Home Run Derby drinking game.
This game blends America’s favorite pastime with everyone’s second-favorite pastime: drinking. It’s the perfect excuse to get rowdy with friends, root for your favorite sluggers, and let every dinger dictate the next round. Whether you’re a diehard baseball buff or someone just there for the vibes (and beer), this drinking game gives you a home-run reason to tune in.
Table of Contents
Basic Home Run Derby Drinking Game Rules
If you’re new to the drinking-game side of baseball sports watching, don’t worry—this one’s easy to learn, hard to remember (after a few innings).
Classic Rule Set
- Take one sip every time a home run is hit. Yes, you’ll be sipping a lot.
- Two sips if the same player hits back-to-back homers.
- Finish your drink if a player clears 10 home runs in a single round.
- If the announcers yell “back-back-back!” (and they will), waterfall until they stop.
- When the pitcher accidentally hits the batter with a BP pitch? Everyone takes a shot, because chaos must be honored.
These rules are made for high-action, non-stop sipping. The game works best when you keep it light and fun, not blackout-intense. Bonus points if someone prints a rule sheet and slaps it on the fridge for everyone to follow.
Funny & Chaotic Variations to Try
Think the base rules are fun? Wait till you throw in some spicy curveballs. Here are the unhinged, hilarious versions of the game Reddit swears by:
Announcer Cliché Rules
- Drink every time you hear “exit velocity,” “launch angle,” or “grown man strength.”
- Take a sip if they compare a player to a “young Ken Griffey Jr.”
These options make it a full-on baseball drinking fantasy league—only with fewer spreadsheets and more burps.
Simple Home Run Derby Drinking Game with Bets
Watching the Home Run Derby is already a blast—but adding drinks and friendly wagers turns it into a full-on summer spectacle. Whether you’re with die-hard fans or just here for the beer, this simple drinking game with light betting keeps things fun, competitive, and just the right amount of tipsy. Here’s how to play without overthinking it.
1. Pick a Player
Before each round, everyone chooses one Derby contestant to cheer for.
- If your player wins the round: You assign 2 drinks
- If your player loses: You drink 2
2. Basic Drinking Rules (Always Active)
- 1 sip every time someone hits a home run
- 2 sips if the same player hits 3+ in a row
- Finish your drink if someone hits 10+ in one round
- Waterfall when announcer says “back-back-back!”
3. Quick Bet of the Round
Each round, make a group bet like:
- “Will someone hit a 450+ ft homer?”
- “Will the underdog beat the favorite?”
- “Will there be a swing and miss?”
If you’re right: Give out 1 drink. If you’re wrong: Take 1 drink
4. Final Bet: Who Wins It All
Before the final round, everyone picks who they think will win. If your pick wins: Everyone else drinks 3. If your pick loses: You take 3.
James Wood-Inspired Home Run Derby Drinking Game
Core Rules (Simple & Fun)
- Take 1 sip every time anyone hits a home run
- Take 2 sips if the homer is hit by James Wood
- Finish your drink if James Wood hits 10 or more in a single round
- Take a bite of food or drink if someone on the broadcast mentions Waffle House
The “Waffle House Rule”
If James Wood wins the whole Derby:
- Everyone must eat waffles or pancakes (or at least toast with something sweet and ridiculous — syrup, chocolate milk, honey whiskey, your call)
- Extra points if someone queues up “Midnight Train to Georgia” and everyone sings along for the finale
Bonus Chaos (Optional, Still No Bets)
- If the broadcast shows a massive home run (450+ feet): shout “WOOD LAUNCHED THAT” — last one to yell drinks twice
- If the crowd drops a caught ball: everyone does a slow, disappointed sip
- If anyone accidentally says “Wood” in any context (like “would you grab a drink?”), they take a penalty sip
No cards, no prep, no scorekeeping. Just drinks, homers, James Wood, and Waffle House vibes.
Final Tips to Make Your Baseball Party a Grand Slam
Want to take this party from backyard BBQ to ESPN highlight reel? Here’s the playbook:
- Use plastic red cups shaped like mini baseball helmets.
- Play walk-up songs every time someone goes to get another drink.
- Serve “slugger shots” (whiskey and lime in a baseball-themed cup).
- Set up a wiffle ball challenge between rounds. Winner gets immunity from the next drink.
Bonus points for setting up a live group chat where everyone can post memes and rule infractions in real time. Read more fun baseball beer pong drinking games.
Baseball’s already more fun with friends—but with the Home Run Derby drinking game, it becomes the most ridiculous all-star event of your summer.