Phillies Youth Home Run Derby returns to Sea Isle City, NJ

For over 45 years, the Phillies Youth Home Run Derby in Sea Isle City has been offering the opportunity for Boys and Girls to compete for the chance at the next level qualifier tournament that could land them at Citizens Bank Park for the Finals.

This year's event will take place on Sunday, July 30th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Dealy Field Baseball and Softball Fields on Central Avenue. The competition is divided into age groups and open competition for Girls and Boys ages 7 - 12 years old. Registration is the day of the event, starting at 9 am with Boys Ages 7 to 8 years old competing on Little League Field and Boys Ages 9 to 10 years old on Softball Field beginning at 10 am. At 12 pm Girls Ages 7 to 12 years old will compete on Little League Field while Boys ages 11 to 12 years old are on the Softball Field. The batters who come in First, Second, and Third places in each of the Age Divisions will receive an award and then earn a spot in the next level qualifier Tournament with the opportunity of advancing to the Citizens Bank Park Youth Home Run Derby Finals. Also, there be additional prizes awarded to many participants via randomized drawings given to those who stay for the entire event and can wait around for the official drawings.

The Phillies Youth Home Run Derby is a family event, first started by Jack Bradley in 1971 and the competition has been conducted all around the region by different members of the Bradley family over the decades.  In recent years, Paul Bradley (Jack's son) has been the man in charge and he will be manning the mounds at this year's Sea Isle City competition.

I spoke with Bill Kehner Jr. of the Sea Isle City Recreation Department about this year's Phillies Youth Home Run Derby:

"Paul (Bradley) has kept his father’s wonderful event alive and strong! This year Paul and his son Ryan will be handling the pitching machine duties in Sea Isle City and we are so lucky to have them bring this fabulous event to our Beach community every Summer! Paul has been pitching and serving up Home Runs to numerous eventual MLB players (along with) future High School and College Baseball and Softball stars...We hope the next future MLB or Professional Softball star is hitting Home Runs in Sea Isle City Summer of 2023!"

For more information about this year's Phillies Youth Home Run Derby event, you can visit the event page here or call the Sea Isle City Recreation at 609-263-0050.