Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 right-hander Cody Brooks throws a pitch during a game between the Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and Catalyst Cardinals on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Powers Field.
Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 pitcher Cody Brooks looks on from the dugout Cheyenne's 3-2 win over Sheridan in the championship of the Firecracker tournament Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Powers Field in Cheyenne.
Cheyenne's Cody Brooks throws a pitch during the game between Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Sheridan Troopers on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Powers Field. Jacob Byk/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Cheyenne's Cody Brooks throws a pitch during the game between Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Sheridan Troopers on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Powers Field. Jacob Byk/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 right-hander Cody Brooks throws a pitch during a game between the Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and Catalyst Cardinals on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Powers Field.
Jacob Byk/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 pitcher Cody Brooks looks on from the dugout Cheyenne's 3-2 win over Sheridan in the championship of the Firecracker tournament Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Powers Field in Cheyenne.
Cheyenne's Cody Brooks throws a pitch during the game between Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Sheridan Troopers on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Powers Field. Jacob Byk/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Cheyenne's Cody Brooks throws a pitch during the game between Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Sheridan Troopers on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Powers Field. Jacob Byk/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
CHEYENNE – Cody Brooks pulled Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 manager Ty Lain aside before the first game of the Northwest Regional last August in Billings, Montana.
Lain thought the then-sophomore might be nervous and looking for some encouraging words about playing in his first regional.
Brooks was anything but nervous. Instead, he asked Lain to be the Sixers’ starting pitcher against Medford, Oregon.
Medford had won the regional and placed third at the Legion World Series the previous summer. The Mustangs are a notoriously strong offensive team, and Brooks limited them to six hits over seven innings as Cheyenne won 10-0.
“I like pitching in games where I know the other team is really good,” Brooks said. “I want to test my limits and see if I can help our team. It pushes me to reach my potential.”
If there was any question about Brooks’ place on Post 6’s pitching staff, that outing proved he was the unquestioned ace.
It’s a role Brooks will assume again this season. Cheyenne opens its season with a doubleheader at noon today at Casper.
“What makes him special is he isn’t afraid to take the mound and throw his stuff in there for strikes against anyone in the country,” Lain said. “He believes he will get them out. That mentality is something we hope rubs off on the younger pitchers we have.
“They need to learn to be in attack mode all the time. When (Brooks) went into attack mode last summer, the results spoke for themselves.”
The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder tossed 75⅓ innings, posting a 7-2 record with 52 strikeouts. He gave up only 60 hits, 24 walks and had a 2.04 earned-run average.
Brooks’ strikeout total could be higher if he hadn’t completely bought into Post 6’s philosophy of pitching to contact, Lain said.
“He throws his first pitches for strikes and doesn’t fear location,” the skipper said. “We have a lot of guys who want to throw the perfect strike on the corner, but that is a recipe for nibbling and getting behind in the count.
“Brooks isn’t afraid to throw any pitch to any hitter. That mentality is what makes him successful.”
Brooks spent the offseason trying to add bulk to his frame and sharpen his off-speed pitches. He also broke out his first baseman’s mitt and bat, which he didn’t need last season because he only pitched.
“I like being counted on as a pitcher, but I’m also looking forward to being out on the field more,” Brooks said. “Being a pitcher-only can be tough when your team gets into a tight squeeze, and you feel like you could help them out.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to also be a hitter again.”
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