READING -- Chris Rahl of the Harrisburg Senators won a wild, wacky Eastern League home run derby -- featuring an intern in a dunk tank; a bouncing man on a trampoline and a wet bar in the infield.
The home run derby was hosted by the Reading Phillies. The league's all-star game will be played at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, as well.
Rahl was one 31 players to participate. At one point, players had only 2:00 minutes each to take their hacks -- a clock was running.
"We came up with a lot of stuff that hit the cutting room floor, as they say," said Reading Phillies general manager Scott Hunsicker. "We just want people to laugh, have fun; it's nothing serious, it's just a home run derby."
Hunsicker said OSHA wouldn't allow an intern with a glove to hang from a crane; so the R-Phils put Jen Leon on a lift. The outfield was sprinkled with pink flamingos, mascots with gloves and targets.
Fans paid $65 to attend a VIP party in the infield -- a party that took place during the event. The only thing protecting the fans was a 12-foot high net. "Every time the ball comes, it scares you," said fan Alan Gehringer.
"You just hope that net stops the ball."
