By Kyle Jorrey Acorn Sports Writer

CHASING DOWN A DREAM-Above, 8-year-old Cody Jones takes a cut at the plate. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 1, Jones has limited use of the left side of his body and must do his batting, throwing and fielding with his right hand.Cody's positive spirit is contagious, especially for his proud parents, Chris and Candice of Simi Valley.

Soft-spoken and skinny, Simi Valley resident Cody Jones makes up for what he lacks in physical stature with heart and courage.

Diagnosed at age 1 with cerebral palsy, a condition that disrupts the brain’s ability to adequately control muscle movement and posture, Cody has difficulty using the left side of his body.

But the determined youngster, just weeks away from his ninth birthday, hasn’t let this physical handicap keep him from playing the sport he’s grown to love—the sport of baseball.

A testament to the power of the human spirit, Cody has attracted plenty of fans along the way, none bigger than his parents, Candice and Chris.

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"Even though he is disabled, he’s a natural athlete," said Candice. "At age 2 we set him up with a plastic bat and ball and a tee. He put that plastic ball right through the apartment window . . . I think we were more impressed with him than we were upset."

At first, baseball was nothing more than a means to provide Cody with physical therapy at home, therapy critical to the health of patients with cerebral palsy. His father, Chris, an avid baseball fan, encouraged his son to swing a bat and play catch in the backyard, all to keep his regularly inactive muscles active.

"It was alternate therapy, and he just picked up on it," Jones said. "Before long, all he wanted to do was play baseball."

Unable to use his left arm to play, Cody was forced to develop a style that allowed him to use his right arm to both catch and throw. Not unlike the technique used by former major league pitcher Jim Abbott, Cody throws the ball with his right hand, and then quickly switches the glove to his strong hand so he is able to field.

"I wanted to play baseball ever since I was 2," Cody said. "At first, I tried to throw with my left hand, but it didn’t work. So I just kept practicing so I could just use my right hand."

When he was 4, his parents signed him up for T-ball. Before long, they realized that Cody was not only proficient, but actually more skilled than some of his teammates without disability.

"He always had such good hand-eye coordination, and he learned how to do everything right-handed," Candice said. "He just did whatever it took so he could do the things a normal child would do, and for him, that meant playing baseball."

Last season, as a member of the Simi Valley Little League, Cody actually moved up a division from Farm to Minors, where he competed against players a year or two older than himself. Playing first, third and even outfield for the Indians, Cody and his lifelong friend John Teague developed into a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.

"We make a really good team," said Teague, who plays catcher. "We even made the last out of the season."

Playing baseball together for hours on end, the duo has developed a special relationship in the years they have lived just down the street from each other. For Teague, watching his friend Cody on the diamond is a pleasure.

"He’s really good, he’s always surprising people," Teague said. "When people see Cody play, they are usually like, ‘Wow, he’s good.’"

Teague said his friend likes nothing more than giving his all to grab a fly ball.

"He loves to make a diving catch, he’s our Darrin Erstad," Teague said, referencing the current Anaheim Angels outfielder.

At the culmination of his season in the minors, Cody was selected to play for the Farm division’s all-star team. It was a tribute to his desire and work ethic, two things that set him apart from many of the kids he plays against on the field—players who enjoy the use of both arms.

"He is really a great player," Candice said. "He might not be as good as some of the other players on his team, but his drive and attitude will get him places. . . . He used to talk about ‘if’ he makes it to the majors, now he talks about ‘when’ he makes it."

Candice, who said she’s always encouraged Cody to accept and live with his condition without the need for pity or special help, is still amazed at her young son’s drive.

"What’s so amazing is that he has to try twice as hard as everybody else, but he just won’t give up," she said. "If there is something that Cody wants to do, he’ll do it. He never lets his condition stand in his way."

And while his major league career will have to wait at least a few years, what he is doing now is inspiration for all, especially others suffering from his condition. Candice hopes her son’s determination will encourage others with physical handicaps to chase down their dreams without hesitation, just as Cody has.

"We always raised our son to believe this is how he was made, to believe that God had a purpose for him, and cerebral palsy was a part of that," Candice said. "This is his duty in life, this is what was given to him, and he’s alright with that. It just isn’t going to keep him from being a normal kid."

In addition to baseball, Cody also plays soccer. He said his favorite baseball player is former Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, who was recently traded to the Oakland Athletics.

He has family in Moorpark and Orange County who visit frequently so they can watch Cody every time he plays.

Cody’s father, Chris, was born and raised in Simi Valley.