From Childhood Dreams to Reality at Truist Park
The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Truist Park in Atlanta delivered an unforgettable night for baseball fans, none more so than for CNN analyst Kyle Feldscher, who found himself directly in the path of a screaming home run ball. A lifelong baseball fan and former high school player, Feldscher recounted how his experience from the press terrace became far more personal—and intense—than expected.
Sitting in the Hank Aaron Terrace above the left field stands, Feldscher realized early on that his location placed him firmly in home run territory. The terrace, enclosed in glass but with an outdoor seating section, offered a clear line of fire for balls crushed by the sport’s biggest sluggers. As Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays stepped up in the opening round, it became evident that those in the terrace were in for more than just a good view.
Home Run Balls and Instant Adrenaline
Caminero’s 19th home run of the night came off the bat at 117 miles per hour and headed straight for Feldscher and his colleague, Kevin Dotson. What followed wasn’t the smooth, confident reaction one might imagine from someone who played the sport. Instead, instinct kicked in. Feldscher closed his laptop and leaned away—hard. The ball struck the wall just below and ended up in the hands of another reporter nearby.
The moment was captured on camera, and for Feldscher, it became a humbling reminder that watching from a distance and reacting under pressure are very different. Laughing it off, he adjusted. He began standing behind his chair when right-handed hitters approached, a strategy that made him feel more prepared, if not entirely safe.
The Moment of Magic with Cal Raleigh
When Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners catcher and eventual derby champion, took the field, the energy shifted. Raleigh, wearing No. 3 in honor of Babe Ruth, had already hit 38 home runs in the first half of the season. His ninth blast of the night traveled 457 feet—once again toward the Hank Aaron Terrace.
This time, Feldscher didn’t flinch. He didn’t try to catch it either. Instead, he watched the ball hit nearby and roll toward him on the concrete. The home run ball, signed by Raleigh before the event, ended up in Feldscher’s hands. It wasn’t caught on the fly, but the significance wasn’t lost on him. That baseball became a small but powerful symbol of joy, memory, and the enduring magic of the sport.
A Personal Tribute in a Public Arena
The emotional weight of the moment deepened for Feldscher, who reflected on his late father—the man who introduced him to baseball and spent countless hours playing catch and offering batting practice. Unable to share the joy with his dad, he instead shared it with friends and loved ones through photos and messages.
For Feldscher, that ball represented more than just a souvenir. It was a reminder of who he was, where he came from, and how sports can transport us to simpler times. In a stadium filled with thousands, a single baseball offered a private moment of connection, nostalgia, and pure happiness.