Triplets’ field of dreams all about inclusion

HAMMOND, Wisc. — As the parents of 9-year-old triplets born with varying disabilities, Nick and Leah Feyereisen took it upon themselves to create a culture of inclusion and kindness through baseball.

In 2012, with their son, Tanner, who was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy that has required eight surgeries, scheduled to undergo a spinal cord operation that would have him in a wheelchair for the summer, they decided to build their own baseball field in the backyard of their home in a town of 1,922 located roughly 40 miles outside Minneapolis.

It started out as a small event with about 25 of their friends and family there for what they called Opening Day, and also served as a chance for the triplets’ grandfather, Don, to see his grandchildren play his favorite game one last time before he ultimately passed away that December. But since then, it’s grown into a large community event with a baseball field that includes its own version of Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster. Hundreds of people, including 50 kids of various ages playing an organized game of Wiffle ball, attended the family’s fifth annual Opening Day on a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon.

“Don wasn’t doing so great, and he told me on the way to the doctor’s office he wanted to see the boys play baseball one last time and I guess that’s how ideas are grown,” Leah said. “Baseball can unite everybody. It’s not hard to catch on to and everyone can play. The point of this field is to teach kids how to compete fairly and kindly.”

Tanner, and his identical twin brothers, Parker and Cole, were born premature at 31 weeks. Tanner was born with cerebral palsy, two club feet and has worn at least 25 different types of leg casts, while Parker has dealt with kidney issues and Cole had to wear a helmet the first six months of his life to help reshape his head.

All three have been regulars almost since birth at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, but with Gillette’s help, they’ve been able to live normal lives. The main thing they have in common is their love of sports, as they not only love watching their favorite teams such as the Minnesota Twins, but playing sports as well.

“I love baseball probably more than any person likes any sport combined,” boasts Tanner, who calls Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier his favorite players.

Tanner had to wear leg braces two years ago while in first …

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