COMMUNITY COLLEGE STATE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : Minici Makes a Deal, and It Benefits Rancho Santiago

Jason Minici was a member of Rancho Santiago’s team that won the State baseball championship last season.

He hit .329 and drove in 19 runs, but down the stretch Minici’s role was reduced to pinch-hitter and reserve outfielder.

After the season, Minici said he made a deal with himself to work harder than ever, so that if the Dons made it back to the tournament, his memories would be made in the field and not on the bench.

“It was a really hard challenge for me,” Minici said about being on the bench. “But that was where I really learned about the savvy part of the game.”

Minici contributed a home run last Friday to help Rancho Santiago beat Los Angeles Harbor, 2-0, and start the Dons toward the regional title that earned them a berth in the State tournament, which starts today at Cerritos College.

His recent success can be traced to last summer, when Minici went to work to make sure he was going to be in the lineup on a full-time basis. Minici, a football and baseball standout at Irvine High School, was already in good shape but wanted to make sure he was in excellent condition.

He spent his summer working as an umpire in an age-group summer league at Rancho Santiago and between games he lifted weights, ran and took fly balls.

Minici had been a starting catcher since he was 10, but began last season splitting time with Darren Troilo at catcher. Minici was later asked to move to left field by Coach Don Sneddon, so both could be in the lineup at the same time.

Troilo was a freshman and would be back this season, so Minici continued to work on his outfield play.

“There were times last season when I was a wreck out there,” Minici said.

Over the summer, he improvised a batting tee out of an orange traffic cone and spent about an hour most nights hitting.

Minici saw the results of his work over the fall and winter when he was among the Dons’ most productive hitters. His performance drew the interest of several colleges. When his success continued into the season, Long Beach State made a scholarship offer and he accepted.

“He’s an old-fashion self-made ballplayer,” Sneddon said. “He’s a very dedicated athlete who might not be the most talented guy but has earned every honor he’s gotten through his hard work.”

Minici is hitting .374 with nine home runs and has driven in 39 runs and scored 49 this season. He has 12 doubles and four triples and will be starting in left field today when Rancho Santiago (38-11) plays Chabot (33-12) at 11 a.m.

“I’m excited,” Minici said. “I can’t wait. I doubt I’m going to be able to sleep the night before.”