In 2005, as part of the announcement of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, the derby featured eight players representing their native countries rather than their respective leagues. The format of the derby was changed in 2000 when, after the first round, the four advancing players were put into two seeded brackets, with the winners of each match-up advancing to the finals. From 1996 to 1999 there were ten competitors at the derby. The top two hitters in the second round batted for the championship. The top four players with the most home runs in the first round moved on to the second round. The format changed in 1991, to three rounds rather than two innings. From 1989 to 1994, there were eight players invited, four from each league. The 1988 derby at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OH was cancelled due to rain. At the first derby there were ten players (five per league), by the second the number was down to six (three per league) and the third only featured four sluggers. The derby started out as a contest between the two leagues, with each league having an equal number of players. This format allowed for the possibility of ties. Any swing that was not a home run was an out.
When the Derby first began in 1985 each player received two turns at bat with five outs per turn at bat. As a result, it is not really possible to compare results across eras. The format of the competition has changed regularly, as MLB tried to maximize excitement and encourage its top sluggers to take part. It has been televised nationally since 1994 on ESPN, with Chris Berman providing the commentary every year until 2017, when he was replaced by Karl Ravetch. It is an afternoon to evening event on the Monday before the All-Star Game. The Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby has taken on many forms since its beginning in 1985.