DEI in Baseball: Developing, Empowering and Igniting Greatness (Yes, read that correctly)

There is a lot of noise out there about DEI—diversity, equity and inclusion. Some folks hear those three letters and get all bent out of shape, like a hitter staring down a nasty slider on a full count. But in baseball, DEI should be about one thing: Dominating Every Inning—or in this case, Developing, Empowering and Igniting greatness.

We’re in the Empowerment Phase of development now (February–April), and this is where we take the habits we’ve built and convert them into actual skills. It’s the moment when we separate the wannabes from the workhorses. It also is when players start realizing there’s no “I” in “team,” but there sure as hell is a “me.” And that’s okay, as long as “me” is working for “we.”

D is for Development (Because no one shows up great)

Baseball isn’t just about showing up and hoping things go well. You don’t just step into the box, grip the bat, and expect to start raking without putting in the work. The same way you wouldn’t try to hit a 90 mph fastball without some serious BP under your belt, you can’t expect to dominate if you haven’t developed your game first.

In this Empowerment Phase, we take the habits we built in the Engagement Phase and turn them into actual tools. That means:

• If you worked on your timing, now it’s time to own it.
• If you struggled with fielding last season, this is where you turn bad hops into smooth plays.
• If your mental game was softer than a hanging curve, this is where you lock in and start seeing failure as fuel, not fear.

This isn’t about trying things out anymore—it’s about making them part of your DNA.

E is for Empowerment (Because no one wants to be a role player forever)

Have you ever noticed how the best players aren’t waiting for permission to be great? They empower themselves. They take what they’ve built and own it—no excuses, no waiting around for a coach to tell them it’s okay to lead, no looking at their teammates like someone else is going to step up first.

In baseball, empowerment looks like:

• Calling yourself out when you’re not bringing it in practice.
• Taking extra reps on your own instead of waiting for someone to tell you to.
• Encouraging teammates to elevate their game because you know that iron sharpens iron.

At this point, you either have it, or you don’t. And if you don’t? Guess what—there’s still time to fix it. But only if you’re honest with yourself.

“I” is for Ignition (Because what’s the point of a spark if you never light the fire?)

The best players don’t just develop and empower themselves—they ignite something bigger. They bring energy that makes their team better. They make the dugout louder, the infield sharper, and the lineup stronger.

Ignition isn’t about faking hype or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about:

• Playing with controlled fire. There’s a difference between passion and recklessness. Know where the line is.
• Turning frustration into fuel. Strikeouts, errors, bad calls—they’re inevitable. How you respond defines you.
• Making every rep count. Whether it’s BP, grounders, or a game situation, if you go through the motions, you’re already losing.
• Too many players think the season starts when the games begin. That’s a lie. The season starts now, in this Empowerment Phase. If you wait until May to get serious, you’ll be watching the real players dominate.

So yes, DEI is a real thing in baseball—Developing, Empowering and Igniting the type of player who doesn’t wait for greatness but demands it.

And if someone tries to tell you DEI doesn’t belong in the game, just smile and tell them you’re using it to Dominate Every Inning. Because that’s what winners do.

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.