From Forest to Frontier: The Journey Every Hitter Must Take

Every hitter dreams of reaching the frontier. In baseball terms, that frontier might look like signing a college scholarship, cracking the lineup in the Power Four conferences, or ultimately stepping onto a Major League field. The frontier is where opportunity feels endless, where the game is pleasurable and full of rewards.

But here’s the truth: Every frontier starts as a forest.

This truth was reinforced for me during a recent sermon from Bishop Craig L. Oliver at Elizabeth Baptist Church. He reminded us that before anyone enjoys the freedom of a frontier, somebody has to cut down the trees of the forest.

Too many people feel entitled to the frontier without the calluses, sweat, and patience required to clear the land. In baseball, the same principle applies.

The Forest: August, September and October

For hitters, the months of August, September, and October are our forest—the Assessment Phase. These three months are dedicated to trying new things, failing, learning, and discovering what works and what doesn’t.

In this season:

• Games and at-bats are not about winning or losing but about learning.
• Each failure is a swing of the axe, another tree being cut down.
• Habits are not yet built, but seeds of awareness are planted.

The forest is overwhelming at times. There’s even an old saying: “Some people can’t see the forest for the trees.” They get lost in the abundance of challenges, focusing only on what’s right in front of them. But those who thrive understand that the forest isn’t meant to trap you—it’s meant to be cleared.

If you commit to the chopping now, you’ll reach your personal frontier when it matters most.

The Frontier: Competing at the Highest Level

By the time May, June, and July arrive, the Application Phase begins. That’s when hitters are no longer experimenting—they’re executing. That’s when you step onto the field against the best players in the country with the confidence of someone who has already done the hard work in the forest.

Frontiers aren’t reserved for everyone. They are earned. And while every player will have their own version of a frontier, the very best—the ones who clear the most trees with persistence—experience the fullness of it.

5 Qualities of Players Who Clear the Forest and Reach the Frontier

1. Discipline – The forest requires consistent effort. Players who chop wood daily, even when they don’t feel like it, are the ones who make it through.
2. Resilience – Calluses on your hands, both physical and mental, are proof that you’ve endured setbacks. Resilient players don’t quit when the axe gets heavy.
3. Humility – Entitlement keeps people stuck in the forest. Humble players know they must learn, fail, and be coached in order to grow.
4. Vision – Where others only see endless trees, these players can imagine the frontier. They see beyond today’s strikeout or slump to the bigger picture.
5. Work Ethic – At the end of the day, you can’t clear a forest without chopping wood. Hard work separates the dreamers from the doers.

The Call to Hitters

If you’re a hitter in the Assessment Phase, take advantage of this time. Don’t shy away from failure. Don’t complain about the trees in your way. Instead, swing your axe daily—learn, test, adjust, and repeat.

By November, December, and January, you’ll begin building strength and habits from what you’ve discovered. By spring and summer, you’ll be ready to experience the frontier—not as a tourist, but as someone who earned their place by cutting down the forest.

So grab your axe. Your frontier is waiting.

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.