I remember seeing Charlie Culberson when he was 10 years old at East Cobb.
He was small. Not the biggest. Not the strongest.
But you could feel him.
The way he moved. The way he competed. The way he cared.
Years later, I coached him, advised him through the draft, and watched him become a Major Leaguer. He was the 51st overall pick and became known as “Charlie Clutch.”
Here is the truth.
Every Major League player was once 10 years old.
Millions of boys dream about it. Very few do it.
This is your checklist.
Not hype. Not shortcuts. Just truth.
1. Passion
What it is: Your why. The reason you love the game.
Why you need it: Passion fuels you when things get hard. And they will.
How to get it: Ask yourself daily, “Why do I love baseball?” Write it down. Protect it.
2. Work Ethic
What it is: Values in action. Doing the work when no one is watching.
Why you need it: Talent gets you noticed. Work ethic keeps you there.
How to get it: Build a routine. Show up early. Stay late. Repeat.
3. Intelligence
What it is: Knowing what to do and doing it under pressure.
Why you need it: Baseball is a thinking game disguised as a physical one.
How to get it: Study the game. Watch baseball. Ask questions. Learn situations.
4. Coachability
What it is: Being willing to be taught, corrected, and developed.
Why you need it: You cannot grow if you think you already know.
How to get it: Listen fully. Make adjustments quickly. Say “thank you” for feedback.
5. Internal Drive
What it is: Motivation that comes from within, not from parents or coaches.
Why you need it: Seasons are long. Failure is constant. No one can carry you.
How to get it: Set personal goals. Compete with yourself daily.
6. Resilience
What it is: The ability to bounce back from failure.
Why you need it: Even the best fail most of the time.
How to get it: Learn from every mistake. Do not run from failure. Use it.
7. Discipline
What it is: Doing what needs to be done, even when you do not feel like it.
Why you need it: Feelings change. Standards do not.
How to get it: Create standards for sleep, training, and effort. Stick to them.
8. Physical Development
What it is: Strength, speed, and athleticism.
Why you need it: The game gets faster and stronger at every level.
How to get it: Train your body. Eat right. Rest well. Take care of yourself.
9. Mental Toughness
What it is: Staying focused, confident, and composed under pressure.
Why you need it: Pressure is part of the job.
How to get it: Practice pressure. Visualize success. Control your thoughts.
10. Support System
What it is: People who guide, challenge, and believe in you.
Why you need it: No one gets there alone.
How to get it: Surround yourself with coaches, parents, and mentors who tell you the truth and push you forward.
The percentage of players who make it to Major League Baseball is low.
But the percentage of people who achieve anything meaningful in life is also low.
That’s not a reason to quit.
That’s a reason to commit.
You do not have to be the biggest at 10 years old.
But you do have to be the most committed to becoming your best.
Start now. Stay with it.
And one day, someone might say the same thing about you.
“I saw something in him when he was 10.”
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today.
If you found this inspiring and thought-provoking, or if you have any questions, comments or concerns, add me on Discord and let’s go deeper.
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
Leave a Reply