Georgia youth baseball star’s success with one-hand inspires

Like many Little Leaguers in Georgia, 6-year-old Reece Holloway dreams of growing up to be like Chipper Jones. The diminutive elementary schooler has plenty of talent on his side, too, but that's where physical similarities between Holloway and most of his teammates end, for a powerful reason: Holloway only has one hand.

As reported by CNN and ABC affiliates, Holloway was born without a left hand; his left arm ends just below his elbow. While Holloway's parents were instantly concerned with his development, the toddler moved on without much problem, teaching himself how to crawl, then walk and then, incredibly, how to hit a ball by himself by the age of 2.

"He got plastic balls and he would hold them under his chin and drop them and swing the bat," Malou Holloway told CNN. "And he would hit the ball, no problem."

Now, some four years later Holloway is playing the sport he dreamed of for the fourth consecutive year. Yes, Holloway began playing organized baseball on a team at the age of 3.

So, how has he adapted in the years since? The 6-year-old can swing, field and motor around the base paths with the best of them. As long as his shoe doesn't come untied, Holloway may be as difficult as anyone his age in Georgia to get out.

While that may seem natural to the youngest Holloway -- he notes nonchalantly "I was born this way" -- it's still inspiring to all those around him, and those watching from the stands, his parents among them.

"Anything he wanted to do we let him try it," Malou Holloway told CNN. "There was no saying 'No you can't do that because you only have one hand.'"

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