2021 baseball season is far from over. Playing for the Minnesota Mudpuppies of the Northwoods League, Brookshaw will continue to hone his skills, hoping for an opportunity to play baseball professionally.

Brookshaw admits it is a grind.

“It’s a lot of baseball. But I always keep telling myself I get to play a game and enjoy it so that makes me pretty lucky,” Brookshaw said.

By the end of 2021 the Prescott alumnus will have played approximately 100 games and made more than 300 plate appearances. He will have fielded hundreds of ground balls, taken thousands of swings in the batting cage, and completed countless reps in the weight room. However, for Brookshaw it is time well spent.

Among the most accomplished Prescott athletes, Brookshaw’s exploits on the baseball field and the basketball court are known to many. An All-State performer on both the hard court and diamond, Brookshaw’s raw ability was coupled with a work ethic unlike few prep athletes. It is an attitude and a mentality he has maintained with incredible consistency.

“I think I have pretty good self-discipline,” said Brookshaw. “There are times when I just want to relax and do nothing, but I am pretty goal-oriented and understand that taking too much time off can be a real negative.”

The Bison middle infielder also credits his NDSU teammates when those feelings of lethargy creep into his mindset.

“Everybody on the team wants to be here. They want to play baseball,” said Brookshaw. “Being surrounded by over two dozen guys who care about the game and have as much fun as I do helps keep me motivated.”

For the Bison, winning the conference championship and advancing to the NCAA tournament has not only fostered a feeling of pride among the Bison but also planted the seeds for a hoped-for repeat in 2022.

“We have a lot of guys coming back next year,” said Brookshaw.

Although the Bison lose all conference infielder Bennett Hostetler and all conference pitcher Parker Harm to graduation, Brookshaw believes the ingredients are in place for another great run in 2022. With the majority of their roster returning, Brookshaw believes NDSU and Oral Roberts will duke it out once again next spring.

“They have a really good program and a tradition,” sad\id Brookshaw. “It is always fun to play them. It’s always a battle.”

As Brookshaw reflects on this past spring he hopes to continue to progress as a player.

“I need to work on being more consistent offensively and avoid some of the peaks and valleys at the plate.”

The former Cardinal believes his mental approach at the plate continues to get better and better.

“Every day you are facing guys who are throwing in the upper 80’s and low 90’s and it is easy to get down on yourself if you have a bad at bat. Believing you can get three or four hits every game is just not realistic. Continuing to focus on having good at bats each trip to the plate is something I need to continue to work on.”

Defensively, Brookshaw is slated to be moved to the left side of the infield in 2022. A second baseman exclusively over the past two years, Brookshaw is excited about the prospect.

“It will be great to have the opportunity to play shortstop next year,” said Brookshaw. “I played shortstop my last three years of high school and some of my freshmen year and have always liked playing over there. It will be different but I hope to have the opportunity.”

Injury-free all season, Brookshaw credits his training regimen and “a lot of ice baths” that helped him stay healthy this year.

“I do a lot of weight training and believe it has enabled me to not only be successful, but also allowed me to recover quicker and maintain the stamina you need to play over 60 games in three months,” Brookshaw said.

This summer Brookshaw is off to a fast start with the Minnesota Mudpuppies, playing middle infield and hitting over .400 after a handful of games. The Northwoods League affiliate will play until the second week of August, about the time Brookshaw will be returning to Fargo and begin prepping for the fast-approaching 2022 season.

Until then you can bet Brookshaw is going to spend his time in a number of ways. He will spend it in the batting cage. He will spend it in the weight room. He will spend it on the diamond. One thing he will not do is spend his time doing nothing, being idle. Doing so would mean one less swing, one less weight room rep, and one less ground ball. That would be wasted time – something Peter Brookshaw does not believe in.