J’Marcus Brooks knew he had a chance.
To make the most of that opportunity, the former Columbus High School standout realized he needed to make a commitment. As soon as the Mississippi College baseball team’s 2011 season ended, Brooks laid out a plan. He would run, he would lift weights, he would practice his fundamentals — and he would do it all as often as possible.
Some days, the summer heat made it easier to stay inside, but Brooks had a goal: He wanted to earn more playing time with the Choctaws.
“I went and talked to the coaching staff and I asked them what was the thing I could work on (in the offseason),” Brooks said. “They told me some stuff and I thought I had a pretty good shot.”
Buoyed by the possibility of earning a starting spot, Brooks dedicated himself to becoming a better baseball player. After seeing action as a pinch runner in a few games to start the 2012 season, Brooks finally got a chance and made the most it, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored in a 16-10 victory against Millsaps on Feb. 28.
Brooks didn’t let up from there. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder moved from No. 9 to the top of the Choctaws’ order and played a key role in the team’s 21-24 season. Individually, he was one of four players named earlier this week to the 2012 American Southwest Conference All-East Division Teams. Brooks and classmate Mike Kerdock were named first-team all-conference. Brooks also was named the East Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year.
“It was a blessing,” Brooks said. “I had no idea I was in the running for either one. When it was released it was a surprise.”
Brooks said he received a message from a teammate that informed him of his honors. Until then, Brooks didn’t think a season in which he hit .336 with 43 hits, nine doubles, 32 runs, and 22 RBIs would warrant so much attention.
What is even more puzzling is how he was selected to received the Sportsmanship Award. He didn’t think he did anything out of the ordinary other than play the game hard, keep a positive attitude, and do everything possible to support his teammates.
Mississippi College coach Brian Owens saw that attitude in action from the first game Brooks started. He said Brooks’ speed made him a threat to score anytime he reached base.
“J’Marcus came in and played very well for us and hit very well and played some great defense,” Owens said. “He did exactly what I asked him to do.”
Brooks played for coach Jeff Cook at Columbus High and was a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee, a Purple Gold Award winner, and a Mr. Falcon Award winner. He saw limited playing time in his first three seasons at Mississippi College, including 28 games (seven starts) as a junior. He hit .346 with two home runs, two doubles, and 13 RBIs.
After that season, though, Brooks wanted more, and he focused on getting mentally and physically ready to realize that goal. He felt the training and conditioning he did prior to the season put him in good position to earn more playing time. Still, he was willing to accept any role he was given and primed to step in at a moment’s notice.
“Physically I felt a lot more prepared than I usually would have been, and I was in a lot better shape than I was usually in,” Brooks said of the work he did in the offseason to prepare for the 2012 season. “I could run a little bit longer, and it seemed like I had a little more pop on the ball from being in the weight room.”
Brooks said his progression was typical of the development any athlete sees as they get older. The key for him, he said, was making the commitment to do the work.
“I just had to have one of those moments where I realized I really wanted to do it, and then I had to make the decision to go do it,” Brooks said. “Was it easy? No. There were plenty of times during the summer that it was hot and I didn’t want to get up and go run, or to go do wind sprints, or to hit in the cage.”
Brooks said that mind-set carried over to the fall, when he continued to do extra work before and after practice to get ready. He hoped the sacrifices paid off, and was delighted when he received his chance to start in center field.
“You could definitely tell J’Marcus had been in the weight room and came in in shape,” Owens said. “This fall he looked bigger from being in the weight room and how he got himself prepared for the season.”
Brooks said he has a few classes to finish to earn his degree in kinesiology / exercise science. He hopes to finish that work in December. By then, he hopes to find a professional path to follow. If a chance to stay involved in baseball comes up, Brooks said he would consider it.
“I think it was a pretty OK season,” Brooks said. “In my own mind, you want to be at the top of the league in this and at the top of the league at that. I think it pretty successful because I wanted to help my team achieve a goal and help my team do well, not just my own accolades. I think I did that and helped push my team as far as it could go.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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