Rockland Boulders Grant Heyman wins Can-Am League vs. Frontier League 2019 Home Run Derby

The Can-Am and Frontier Leagues held the 2019 Home Run Derby Tuesday night at Palisades Credit Union Park. Rockland Boulders outfielder Grant Heyman admitted having no idea what to expect Tuesday night as he prepared to participate in his first home run derby.

“I told myself I would swing as hard as I could and it worked out,” said Heyman

At the All-Star break, Heyman is tied for the Rockland Boulders team lead in home runs (6) with teammate Richie Fecteau. In the first round of Tuesday’s contest, Heyman gave the home fans plenty to smile about, crushing eight home runs. The majority of them landed in the right field short porch area, on the concourse area or right center field bleachers.

“Definitely my strategy, using the short porch and I told my BP (batting practice) guy Roma (Andrew Romanella) to keep it in the middle of the lane so I could pull it as much as I can and most of the homers went out,” Heyman explained. “When I found out I was in the home run derby, he was my first call and you have to be here to throw to me and did a really good job.”

On the Frontier League side, Washington Wild Things outfielder Hector Roa lived up to the billing as well. Entering the contest, Roa had belted seven home runs on the year and 35 overall in his career. Through the first two rounds, Roa crushed 13 home runs.

In the final round, Roa kept the momentum going by bashing 10 home runs and putting the spotlight on Heyman. After starting out with just a couple long balls, Heyman caught fire, smashing bombs and missiles over the right field wall. Heyman ended up with 11 as his Can-Am League and Rockland Boulders teammates mobbed him at home plate.

“The pressure was on, but I told myself to take it easy, slow and do what I did previous to that and I did,” Heyman said. “It means a lot, all the players are really good and to share the field with them in an event like this and happy and thankful to be here”