Kari Gibb/MDN Minot State University senior Martin Rodriquez signs the game ball for Teage Fuller at Corbett Field between games against University of Mary.

The University of Mary (10-14, 14-20) made the trip to Minot to battle the Beavers on the diamond. Beating the Marauders was only part of the day’s fun for Minot State University baseball players. Between the doubleheaders, they were able to rub shoulders with a fan who is in early training for the team.

“The home run was cool,” said Teage Fuller, of the dinger hit by redshirt freshman Kekoa Munos in the bottom of the sixth inning. “I got to run the bases too!”

Teage Fuller is five and a half years old and loves sports. He loves playing sports with his older brother Tripp. The pre-school bundle of energy is in non stop motion with his older brother shooting hoops, playing T-Ball or anything in between. The Beavers gave Teage two game balls, one signed by the entire team for ‘dad’ to display and another for Teage to use and make dirty.

“We are old school at the house,” said Teage’s father, Rob Fuller, while trying to keep up with Teage as he ran the bases on Corbett Field. “We enjoy watching Jordan in old games. He enjoys sports.”

The fact that Teage loves sports and is also able to play sports with such energy is the best news of the 2024 sports season. Teage has Ebstein’s anomaly.

Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect that occurs when the tricuspid valve doesn’t form correctly, causing the leaflets to be displaced downward towards the apex of the right ventricle. The tricuspid valve separates the top and bottom right chambers of the heart.

“We were at the Mayo Clinic for what was supposed to be two surgeries,” said Rob Fuller. “The first one went so well that they decided to push the second one farther down the line with a possible valve replacement if needed.”

Prior to the surgery, Teage was treated to a trip to Florida and Disney World by Make-A-Wish of North Dakota last fall. Once the Florida trip was over, and the stay at the Mayo Clinic was a success, the Make-A-Wish team reached out to Minot State University for a follow-up favor.

“When the folks at Make-A-Wish reached out to us, we were able to react quickly,” said Daniel Schuetz, Assistant Athletic Director for Revenue and Fan Development. “We were glad to have Teage join the team today – and he will be welcome to man the microphone as his comfort level allows.”

Both Teage and his brother Tripp enjoy attending sporting events locally. As students at Bishop Ryan, they are fans of the Lions and enjoy catching basketball and baseball games. More importantly, Teage may have the chance to play competitively going forward.

“The amazing success of the growth removal in that first surgery was a game changer,” said Rob Fuller. “They [doctors] were able to burn off the growth completely, and he [Teage] is now med free and may be able to play sports competitively if he so chooses.”

For the day, Teage, his dad and mom, Katie as well as grandparents will spend the cooler Wednesday afternoon cheering the Beavers on and possibly singing the seventh inning stretch favorite, ‘Take me out to the Ball Game’ – if they can remember the words and Teage stops moving long enough to hold the microphone.