Deep Center Field: A Baseball Story

How's that for a chokejob?

Note: The mariners only lose because this story had to be fiction

Chapter 0: Author

Warning: This story will switch perspectives to the person with the title every chapter. For example, chapter 1 will be from Soto’s POV. 

Introduction: Soto Raleigh

“In game 7,  Down 1-0, with a 3-2 count, 1 out, bottom 9th, and a man on first, Mariners ace Tyler Woo is pitching to batter Shohei Ohtani. It is up to Ohtani to save the Dodger’s World Series.” In my position at center field, I looked at Tyler as he smiled back at me. One more strike and we would win the World Series! Tyler went into his windup and slammed a four-seam fastball towards Ohtani’s bat. Ohtani swung with all his power. I held my breath as the ball soared through the air, whipping towards the foul pole. ”Foul.” We had gotten a lucky break there. I looked at the crowd. The crowd was in a frenzy at Dodger Stadium, knowing he could slam a pitch into the bleachers and win the game, or single and tie the game. ”Come on Ohtani, slam that over their heads!” Tyler was getting nervous and it showed. The next pitch was a curveball right over the plate, and Ohtani rotated his hips and slammed the ball towards me in center field. I saw the fans and kids squealing in delight as the ball soared towards the stands. 

Well, too bad. 

The reason they call me the dream-crusher is because I take player’s home run dreams and crush them. Well, that, and the fact I’m the most hated center fielder in baseball and probably the most hated player overall.

As the fans got to their feet and held their breath, I ran to the warning track, my feet pounding on the turf, my brown hair ripping in the wind, and jumped as the ball soared towards me.

The roar of the crowd quieted as the crowd held their breath, knowing I could catch the ball, but It could very well go over my head.

 6 hours earlier

Chapter 1: Soto Raleigh

It’s game time. I’m ready to crush it. Our team has been the superpower in baseball for the past 3 years since 2025, when we lost in 7 to the Toronto Blue Jays. I’m the star center fielder for the Seattle Mariners, known for my home run robberies and my insults. I heard the cheers of Dodger Stadium turn to boos as I ran out of the tunnel. “Ohtani’s gonna run over you, Soto!” “Then why do we have 3 wins?” Hah. As Soto Raleigh, I’m used to these insults because I’m the most hated player in baseball. As my feet pounded on the dirt, manager Ichiro Suzuki told me I was playing leadoff. Good. I can crush that first pitch over their heads and walk away laughing.

I felt the sun on my face as I stepped up to the plate and took a practice swing. The boos echoed in the closed roof of Dodger Stadium. The crowd quieted as I pounded the dirt with my sneakers. Cheers of “Strike him out!’ And “Make him miss!”erupted from the crowd. Dodgers Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with his black hair and small eyes, went into his windup and threw a fastball a bit under the plate. CRACK! I slammed the ball into foul territory. 0-1 count. I wiped a bead of sweat off my head, looking for the windup. Yamamoto threw a splitter that must’ve been close to 100 mph just under the plate. Ball one. I could tell Yamamoto was getting nervous. He put the next ball over the plate, a fat, juicy meatball. I put my bat on it, and it was driven HARD to center field, hit over the CF’s head. Home run.

Chapter 2: Yoshinobu Yamamoto

That fastball was trash- absolute garbage. And Soto had made me pay for it. As he rounded the bases, he looked at me, slowed down, and winked. I could feel the anger boiling inside me. It was like he was thanking me for that meatball. I almost wanted to charge him, hit him with my fist and shut him up. That’s what he’d deserve. He’s just a trash-talking jerk of a player.

But that would make me no better than him. And I am better than him.

Everyone is.

Instead, I tried not to focus on Soto’s obnoxious home run dance and tried to focus on the next batter: Anthony Domingueź, a man who didn’t hit home runs like Soto but one who could be patient to wait for a good ball to hit. I still felt the rage from Soto’s obnoxious wink, and it showed. As I felt the heat on my face, beads of sweat formed on my face, and I threw a ball that curved way outside and landed in the dirt. Ball 1. How could I have thrown that!? In the dirt. IN THE DIRT! I can’t do this. I threw ball number two way outside, blocked by catcher Will Smith. MY third pitch was way inside, and it got Anthony in the ribs. HBP. Now it was 1-0 them, with a man on 1st. I pounded the dirt, angry, saw the batter (Carlos Blackwell, a notorious walk-drawer) , and threw ball 1 in the dirt again. I saw Anthony take off from 1st. Smith tried his best to block the ball but it got past him. Anthony slid into second. I groaned and felt tears spring into my eyes.

Suddenly, catcher Will Smith went over to me. He called the ref: “Mound Conference." And then he said to me: “You got this, Yoshi.” I replied: “No, I don’t. I’m a bad pitcher. You’d be better than me, even if you’re a catcher.” He exclaimed: “No, I’m not. You can do it. Visualise you getting the ball to me, just like we’re playing catch. You can do it. I got ready, looked at Will, and threw a slider that baited Carlos into whiffing for strike 1! Oh Yeah. I was in the zone now.

I went with my high-kick windup, the wind rushing against my body as. Surged an electric fastball that Carlos didn’t swing at. “Stttriiiiike two!” I felt a calm breeze. Hundreds of thousands of people were cheering, but I felt completely calm. I then went into my full windup, and threw a 100 mph curveball that struck him out! 1 out.

I was in the zone. Their next batter, Johnny Clements, was weak against curveballs. I threw a curveball and he swung and made contact. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw our shortstop Miguel Rojas make a diving catch and instantly threw it to second baseman Zach Wheeler for 3 outs!

 Chapter 3: Kyle Riveras

  I high-fived Yamamoto with enthusiasm I didn’t feel. “You got it!” I exclaimed. Yamamoto smiled at me. Today’s my birthday, and this is how I’m spending it. Just a couple hours ago, we had my birthday party at the clubhouse. But I’m not the star of the team. Not even close. I’m just Joe Average pinch hitter. I smiled and popped a fortune cookie in my mouth and read the fortune. 

Today, you will do something important.

I sure hope so.

Chapter 4: Announcer Finn Reaper

”Annnnnnnd he strikes him out! But the damage has been done. 1-0 Mariners  at the top of the 1st.” Being a sports announcer is a fun job, but a tiring one. But I get to watch baseball all day long. Suddenly, somebody approaches me. He says: “Come with me, Reaper. I have something for you. Want to make the game.. fun?” I say: “What do you have in mind?”

The figure says: “Reaper, I want you to make the Dodgers feel bad with your announcements, especially Yamamoto, Shohei, and Kyle Riveras. In exchange, I’ll give you $7,500.” My ears perk up and my mouth turns into a smile. “Why do you suggest this?”I ask. “Since I overheard Kyle and Yamamoto slouching, I want to capitalize on it.” “Who are you?” “Mariners Coach Carlos.”

”What’ll you need me to do?”

Chapter 5: Kyle Riveras

I take a big step forward and wing, and… whiff. But striking out isn't the worst part. It’s the announcer. “Annnnd he strikes him out again! Not that surprising.” I feel my throat burn. Announcer Finn Reaper has been bugging us ever since the bottom of the 1st for 6 innings. “Finn Reaper? More like a GRIM reaper.” Says Ohtani.” Murmurs of agreement rise out from the dugout.

I sit down, thinking. Finn is getting in my mind. Maybe I am terrible. My stomach sinks down. No one’s in the mood for conversation. Our team is going lower and lower.

In the top of the 6th, Yamamoto is getting tired and is taken out. He slams a ball against the dugout wall. Normally, I’d say something encouraging, but no one’s in the mood for encouragement. We put reliever Brendon Little to face the bottom of their lineup. Little’s the only one of us who actually has something encouraging to say. He announces to the team on a mound conference: “We can do it! We’re only down by 1.” But no one responds. Little sighs and heads off to face the middle of their lineup: Switch-Hitter Dillon Dinger, flanked by two foul-ball patient hitters.

Our mood grows lower as Dinger smashes a ball through the right field gap, running towards 3rd base as Little scrambles to keep him from scoring on an inside-the-park home run. I sigh and make eye contact with Little, but he just looks away. 

Before I know it, it’s the bottom of the 9th, and I’m up 4th. Oh man. The butterflies are twirling in my stomach as leadoff hitter Fredrick Santos strides up to the plate. As the 100 mph four-seam fastball finds its mark on the strike one, Santos calmly taps the ball with his bat, calmly bouncing the ball down the foul line and breaking for 1st. Now the butterflies in my stomach are quaking, and it grows again as our #2 batter Enrique Hernandez strikes out, leaving only Ohtani between me and public embarrassment. 

Chapter 6: Soto Raleigh

“In game 7,  Down 1-0, with a 3-2 count, 1 out, bottom 9th, and a man on first, Mariners ace Tyler Woo is pitching to batter Shohei Ohtani. It is up to Ohtani to save the Dodger’s World Series.” In my position at center field, I looked at Tyler as he smiled back at me. One more strike and we would win the World Series! Tyler Went into his windup and slammed a four-seam fastball towards Ohtani’s bat. Ohtani swung with all his power. I held my breath as the ball soared through the air, whipping towards the foul pole. ”Foul.” We had gotten a lucky break there. I looked at the crowd. The crowd was in a frenzy at Dodger Stadium, knowing he could slam a pitch into the bleachers and win the game, or single and tie the game. ”Come on Ohtani, slam that over their heads!” Tyler was getting nervous and it showed. The next pitch was a curveball right over the plate, and Ohtani rotated his hips and slammed the ball towards me in center field. I saw the fans and kids squealing in delight as the ball soared towards the stands. 

Well, too bad. 

The reason they call me the dream-crusher is because I take player’s home run dreams and crush them. Well, that, and the fact I’m the most hated center fielder in baseball and probably the most hated player overall.

As the fans got to their feet and held their breath, I ran to the warning track, my feet pounding on the turf, my brown hair ripping in the wind, and jumped as the ball soared towards me.

The roar of the crowd quieted as the crowd held their breath, knowing I could catch the ball, but It could very well go over my head.

The ball soars a final few yards and the ball lands straight in my glove. I land on my feet and fire it to the pitcher. The groans of dismay of the crowd echoes though Dodger Stadium, and I laugh. No doubt Kyle will be stricken out and we’ll celebrate, celebrating around home plate, destroying LA’s dream again.

2 outs.

   Chapter 7: Kyle Riveras

As I see that amazing leaping catch by Soto, a hole appears in my stomach. It’s my turn. As I step into the batter’s box, I realize lots of people are leaving. They don’t think I can do this. Neither do I. What confirmed it is Finn Reaper’s voice boom over the stadium: “It is up to Kyle Riveras to save the Dodgers' season. But can he do it? The answer, obviously, is NO.” My face burns as I step up to the plate and take a practice swing. Out of nowhere, a BOOM erupts. I yell: “What was that?” I hear Finn’s voice: “Attention, Attention- There is a 1 hour rain break. We’ll be back soon!”

As I walk back to the dugout and put my bat away, I feel the hole in my gut. The whole season is up to me. Maybe I can get a base hit or a walk and let someone else take over. At least I have my lucky bat.  Wait. Where IS my lucky bat??

Chapter 8: Coach Carlos

Well, it looks like we stole Kyle’s bat. No doubt he’ll be screaming his head off. As I leap into my hiding place, I see Kyle fuming. But then, as quick as a whip, he snaps his head around. “WHO’S THERE?” The whole team is running, thrashing through the dugout. I ran up and into the crowd, blending him into Dodger stadium’s crowd in my trench coach. I hear yelling: “Security!” Quick as a flash, security runs over. 

Too bad I’m also a fast runner. I yell to the guard: “Someone’s been eating too many donuts!” His eyes spark in anger: “Why you-“ I run far ahead of the guard, sliding into the announcer's office in front of Reaper. “Here. I give him the bat. Then, I hid in the announcer’s office and laughed as the guard ran past me, chasing ghosts. I can’t imagine how mad Riveras will be.

Chapter 9: Announcer Finn Reaper

I start clapping and laughing with Coach Carlos as we look at the prestigious M25 bat, fresh off the line, Kyle’s lucky bat. No wonder he likes it and considers it his lucky charm. It feels- somehow- comforting. It makes me calm somehow.

Speaking of calm, I’m looking at the opposite of it. Riveras is stomping on the dirt and crying. The rest of the team is trying to comfort him, but it’s no use. He’s sobbing and crying. I announce: “The rain-out is over!” To the crowd.  They start cheering again, looking at Riveras. Chants of “You can do it!” Rise above the crowd. I yell into the microphone: “Can he clutch up? NO.”

Chapter 10: Kyle Riveras

I hear my name being called by Reaper. All I want to do is disappear. I can’t come out. Nonetheless, I have to get up. I wipe my tears off and adopt the ready stance. As Tyler goes into his windup, I swing and miss. 0-1 count. On fastball number 2, I leave it to go- but it finds its mark nonetheless. Strike 2. I look up to the announcer’s booth. Finn is chuckling and laughing. Deep in center field, I see Soto smacking his glove in anticipation, ready to end the game.  I see Will Smith walk over. I say: “Smith, you wanna pinch-hit for me?” He replies: “No. But I want to tell you something. You can do it. Hit it over their heads. You know you can. You just need to believe in yourself.”

I smile and imagine me hitting a home run, the ball soaring into the air and me trotting the bases, as the crowd cheers me on, but I bring myself to reality. I’m going down swinging. No matter what. The stadium is filled with the roar of the crowd, but I hear nothing. Suddenly, I realize they’ve brought in a new pitcher, Kyon Hoffman, famous for his curveball. He goes straight into his windup and throws a pitch barreling towards the sweet spot, a perfect ball straight into the middle, and I swing.

But I swing early.

I think.

But maybe I was wrong.

Because maybe this wasn’t the way the story was supposed to end.

The ball spins and curves at the last moment, a perfect split-finger knucklecurve that my bat makes contact with. This is it. The ball rises and it looks like it would never come down, but it does, right by Soto’s running path. Oh no. I see Soto run to the warning track and make a beautiful leap- but he barely misses the ball by inches as it plunks into the stands. Home run.

After the ball lands in the stands, everyone around me is speechless for a second. Then the world explodes. In the blink of an eye, my teammates burst out of the dugout, dog piling on me like a bunch of golden retrievers being promised a bone. The roar of the crowd grows louder as the whole team joins the celebration, tacking me to home plate. As my teammates pile off me, Will Smith smiles at me, with a gleam in his eye: “I knew you could do it.”

Ending 1: Kyle Riveras

 I’ve become LA’s hero. Everyone wants to meet me and my jerseys are sold out at every store in LA. I’m signing autographs and shaking hands. The best part is, this miracle helped me get my lucky bat back. After a thorough search of the stadium, the bat was found in Finn Reaper’s office. After a search of the stadium security feed, the person who stole my bat had fled into Finn’s office and stashed it there while Finn was taking a coffee break. Unfortunately, the cameras were dismantled before the mysterious man was caught. It was the perfect crime. But who was he? No matter. I have a new lucky bat now- the 606 Kyle- renamed after me after I hit the home run with it. A perfect replica of it was stashed in LA‘s baseball museum, right next to JJ Terrenova’s bat after he hit the 2027 NLCS walk-off game 7 homer. 

Right now, I'm staring at an article about my hit, announcing how it was the “best hit in years.” Apparently, the split finger Kyon had thrown was a high-leverage devastating ball that had a hit rate of 10% and a home run less than 1% of the time. I read about my hit. Had I swung a half second off the time I actually swung, the ball would have gone into the catcher’s glove. 

This was an absolute miracle. Who knew my birthday could be so awesome?

Newspaper Article: Facts and Figures from game 7 of the 2028 World Series-  Kyle Riveras’s amazing walk-off 2-run home run.

Los Angeles- A running comeback was engineered by the Dodgers after a first-pitch home run by Mariners cleanup hitter Soto Raleigh set the tone for most of the game.

The first inning was notorious for the Dodgers, with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto giving up a home run to Soto Raleigh and walking Anthony Dominguez, but he came back to strike out Carlos Blackwell and force Johnny Clements to ground into a double play.

In the 6th inning, pitcher Brendon Little came in for the Dodgers, shortly followed by Randy Moss for the Mariners. Both pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th, with Randy working out of a bases-loaded jam in the 6th by forcing Kyle Riveras into a groundout, and Little escaped the 7th after a leadoff triple to #5 hitter Dillon Dinger, and striking out the #6, #7, and #8 hitters to end the inning. After another pitching change brought closer Tyler Woo for the bottom of the 8th, who struck out a 1-2-3 to bring the Mariners 3 outs from the series.

After a leadoff double by Soto Raleigh and a fielder’s choice single that brought Anthony Dominguez to 2nd and Soto Raleigh to 3rd, but then closer Shota Snell struck out the #3, #4, and #5 hitters to end the inning. Now it was the Dodgers’s final chance.

 After a leadoff single by leadoff hitter Fredrick Santos and a strikeout of Enrique Hernandeź, Shohei Ohtani was spectacularly robbed of a home run on a leaping catch by Mariners center fielder Soto Raleigh. After a 1 hour rain break, Kyle Riveras’s bat was stolen, but Kyle Riveras came up to the plate with a new lucky bat, which he used to hit a 404- foot walk-off to end the game, hitting Kyon’s signature splitfinger knucklecurve over the center field fence, just over the center field wall and Soto’s leaping glove.

Box Score

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	Hits	Runs	Errors
Mariners	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	1
Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	2	0

Pitchers

Mariners

RHP Kilimanjaro Chapman: (4.5 IP, 0.40 ERA)

LHP Randy Moss: (2.5 IP, 0.75 ERA)

RHP Tyler Woo: (1 IP, 0.60 ERA)

RHP Kyon Hoffman: (2 IP, 9 ERA)

Dodgers

 RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto: (5 IP, 1.80 ERA)

 RHP Brandon Little(3 IP, 0.80 ERA)

 LHP Shota Snell (1 IP,  0.77 ERA)