Frisco's Ryan Rua hit 16 home runs over two rounds Tuesday night to win the Home Run Derby at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
Rua hit eight home runs in the second and final round to top Midland's Max Muncy, who hit four.
Rua routinely launched pitches onto the berm in left field and knocked two off the scoreboard even though Dickey-Stephen Park is generally considered a tough place for hitters.
"Some of the older guys who had been in the league had said some stuff," Rua said. "Today was great, perfect weather. I was just trying to go out there and not embarrass myself."
For his efforts, Rua walked off with a leather belt that featured a giant gold plaque on it, similar to the championship belts seen in professional wrestling. He also had a chance to rub elbows with former major leaguers Ryan Klesko and Rick Ankiel, who served as team captains and took park in the derby.
Ankiel hit six home runs, and Klesko hit four.
"They just told me to stay loose, have fun," Rua said. "Definitely cool to be able to have them a part of it. It was cool for the fans, and it was cool for us, too."
Sports on 06/25/2014