Bartee Claims Home Run Derby Crown; Highlights Shine at 2026 USPBL All-Star Night
July 11th, 2026
UTICA, Mich. – The stars of the United States Professional Baseball League (USPBL powered by Mortgage Matchup) put their talents on full display Saturday night as fans packed UWM Field for the annual USPBL All-Star Skills Competition and Home Run Derby, showcasing the league’s speed, power, arm strength, and defensive excellence before the All-Star Game.
The evening began with the Little League Home Run Challenge, where Kevon Jackson of the Eastside Diamond Hoppers raced around the bases in 13.22 seconds to capture the title, edging the competition with an impressive display of speed and hustle. In the Outfielder Throwing Challenge, Tommy Barth of the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers proved his arm was among the league’s best. Barth totaled 8 points, showcasing pinpoint accuracy from center field to home plate to earn the championship. The infielders followed with a defensive showcase, and it was Derek Gellos of the Beavers who stole the spotlight. Gellos accumulated 13.5 points in the Infielder Throwing Challenge, displaying quick hands, smooth footwork, and exceptional accuracy to claim the event title.
The night’s marquee event, the USPBL Home Run Derby, delivered plenty of fireworks. Representing the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers, Amari Bartee put together an unforgettable performance to earn the 2026 USPBL Home Run Derby Championship. Bartee opened the tournament by defeating teammate Barth in the opening round, launching a 388-foot home run during his one-homer performance. He found his groove in the semifinals, defeating Cecil Lofton with three home runs, including a towering 398-foot blast. In the championship matchup against Corbin Shaw, Bartee saved his best for last. He crushed six home runs, highlighted by an incredible 422-foot drive, to secure the derby crown and cap off a dominant performance.
After an exciting Skills Competition and Home Run Derby, the East All-Stars put together a complete team performance to defeat the West All-Stars, 10-4, in the 2026 USPBL All-Star Game. The East scored in four different innings, including a four-run third and a three-run fourth, to build a lead they would never relinquish.
The game started with fireworks from both teams. The East plated two runs in the opening inning before the West answered immediately with a two-run home run by Tommy Stevenson to even the score at 2-2.
The East took control in the third inning. Lofton launched a two-run homer before Alex Harrell doubled home another run. An inning later, Jason Givens ripped a two-run double and David Kedrow, MVP of the game, capped the rally with a four-RBI performance to help stretch the advantage to 9-2.
Jackson sparked the offense by scoring twice and collecting two hits, while Harrell reached base three times, doubled, scored twice, and drove in a run. Kedrow finished with two hits and a game-high four RBIs, and Lofton added his home run and two RBIs.
The West mounted a late push in the seventh inning when Bartee doubled home a run, but East reliever Garrett Harker closed out the final frame to secure the victory. Jacob Mead earned the win after striking out three over 2.2 innings, while the East pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts.
For the West, Kyle Revere led the offense with two hits, while Stevenson homered and drove in two runs. Bartee added a double and RBI in the loss.