5-year-old Mariners fan and cancer survivor practicing to run bases on Opening Day

SEATTLE — A young Seattle Mariners fan is preparing to celebrate his remission with a very special experience on Opening Day.

5-year-old Coleman was at T-Mobile Park on Monday afternoon for a test run of the base paths before he runs the bases when the Mariners open their season on Thursday.

Coleman, who lives on Bainbridge Island, reached remission for a third time last summer after a three-year battle against bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer.

Coleman’s parents say he loves baseball and is hugely invested in the M’s, even crying when Julio Rodriguez lost the Home Run Derby last season.

“For him to be able to run the bases, we’re trying to help him understand how big of an event this is, and it’s something that he should be proud of because of what he’s gone through,” said Steve Tawresey, Coleman’s dad. “Watching him go through that, and you know, start to open up around the players and … gain that confidence just being a part of the team was a really amazing thing for him and for us to see as parents.”

He also visited the team at Spring Training, where he met the players and even participated in batting practice.

This is the 24th year a Make-A-Wish child has performed the ceremonial first run around the bases on opening day, according to the team.

The M’s will kick off their 2023 season on Thursday, playing against the Cleveland Guardians at 7:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Park.

Opening Day is sold out, but tickets are still available for the remaining games of the team’s opening homestand.

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