ABNORMAL HEART: A BIG HEART ALLOWS MINNER TO BEAT ODDS, PLAY COLLEGE BASEBALL

Tom Vodnansky says he is looking for young men with plenty of heart and character as he goes about the task of building a brand-new baseball program at William Woods College in Fulton.

In recent Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate Michael Minner, who has signed to play baseball for the Owls, Vodnansky feels he has somebody who fits that description to a tee.

"Michael has certainly shown the type of character and heart that we're looking for in the kids coming into our program and we're excited about having him," said Vodnansky.

Minner has been quite a story in local baseball circles ever since he began playing the sport as a youngster.

He was born with a right arm that extends only to the elbow area, where there are several small appendages. He was also born with a bone missing in each leg that forces him to wear braces on both legs and has hampered his running ability and limited his growth to only a couple of inches above 5-feet.

But Minner has not let any of that affect his outlook on life or his ability on a baseball field.

Minner has been able to overcome his obstacles -- he hates the word handicap -- to excel at various baseball levels. Used primarily as a pitcher, he went 2-2 for Central High's Tigers this year.

And, playing for Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion team this summer, he recently threw a complete-game victory against Blytheville, Ark., then came back three days later to get two doubles and drive in three runs while playing second base against Van Buren.

Those kind of accomplishments -- along with a no-hitter he tossed two years ago for Central's JV squad and other impressive performances -- have shown that Minner certainly stacks up and will allow him to continue playing the sport he so dearly loves.

"I'm just really excited that I'm going to be able to play baseball in college," said Minner. "That's been a goal of mine ever since I started high school baseball."

And it was a goal that, for a while, he didn't know if he would be able to attain.

"At first my goal was to play high school baseball, but I got cut as a freshman and I thought maybe it's not for me," he said. "But I think that made me work harder. It made me realize things just don't happen, you have to work for them, and if you do, then good things can happen."

It's that kind of attitude that has Vodnansky excited about Minner as William Woods, which participates on the NAIA level, begins its baseball program this coming school year.

While Vodnansky said he doesn't know all that much about Minner's baseball abilities other than looking at the raw statistics, he added, "I know enough to know he's shown the kind of heart and character that baseball was meant to have. He has a passion for the game. Those are all things we're looking for in players."

As for people who wonder how Minner even plays baseball with basically only one arm, he has over the years mastered techniques that make what he does seem almost natural.

When Minner is on the mound, he traps his glove against his chest with his right arm while firing to the plate with his left arm. After he releases the ball, he quickly puts the glove on his left hand. He takes the return throw from the catcher, again traps the glove against his chest and gets set to throw another pitch.

When Minner plays second base, he starts with the glove on his left hand and when he makes a play he flips the ball up in the air, takes the glove off and throws. At the plate, the lefthanded hitting Minner basically bats one-handed.

"It's all natural to me because that's the way I learned it growing up," he said matter-of-factly. "I just love baseball and I've always loved it. I don't see myself as any different than anybody else. I've never wanted anybody to give me anything. I've always wanted to earn it."

Minner's desire to continue playing baseball in college was so great, he actually made the first move in regard to competing for William Woods.

"We sent every high school coach in the state questionnaires about players who might be interested in coming up here and Michael responded," said Vodnansky. "He came up here for leadership weekend in the spring, we got to talk to him and one thing led to another."

Minner, who will be on a combination athletic/leadership scholarship at William Woods, likes the idea of not only playing for the Owls but also attending a school with a stellar academic reputation. He wants to become an art teacher and a baseball coach.

"It's an excellent school, so I'll be able to get a great education," he said. "I would like to coach in high school first and then eventually in college. I think I could lead by example, to show people that if they work hard, good things can happen, but mainly I just love the game and I want to stay in it as long as I can. That's why I'm so excited to hopefully have four more years to play."

Minner has no idea what to expect when he joins the Owls next season.

"Hopefully I'll get a chance to play," he said. "The coach seems to be real excited for the first year of the program and I'm looking forward to it."

Vodnansky said Minner will get a chance just like every other player on the team.

"There's no question, I think Michael has some limitations. But he has a love for the game and he's overcome them," Vodnansky said. "We'll definitely give him an opportunity to find his niche here."

An opportunity is really all Minner has ever wanted. Once he's gotten that, he's been able to do the rest on his own.