For my hitters, September isn’t just another month on the calendar—it’s a laboratory. Between August, September and October, we dedicate time to trying new things. This is the stretch of the year when players experiment, test, and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
By the time we move into the winter months, the goal is simple: build habits and strength around what does work.
Why is this so important? Because too many players blur the line between fun and funds.
Fun vs. Funds
Fun is backyard baseball, rec ball with friends, and casual competition. Nothing wrong with that—it’s where most of us start.
Funds are where scholarships, recruitment and even professional opportunities live. At this level, performance is currency. Character matters, personality matters—but when the lights come on and the scouts are watching, performance is what gets you paid.
And here’s the reality: in order to go from fun to funds, you must Go Get Good (G.G.G.).
What Does G.G.G. Mean?
When I say Go Get Good, I’m talking about players taking ownership of their growth. You can’t just show up at a tryout or a showcase and hope your personality gets you picked. You have to actually perform.
To keep it simple, here’s the G.G.G. Acronym:
- Go – Take initiative. Don’t wait for someone to push you—decide to move.
- Get – Put in the work. Acquire habits, training and knowledge that separate you.
- Good – Produce results. At the end of the day, “good” means being able to deliver under pressure.
That’s why we use this fall season to test the waters. We fail fast. We try things. We measure. We learn. Then we go into the winter with a clear plan for what habits to build and what strengths to double down on.
3 Things That Must Happen to Go From Playing for Fun to Competing for Funds
- Embrace Experimentation – Use months like September to try, fail, adjust, and discover. If you only stick to what’s comfortable, you’ll never find what elevates your game.
- Build Habits That Last – Talent is what you do well. Habits are what you do well repeatedly without thought. Skills are what you do well repeatedly without thought under stress. Once you know what works, winter is about turning it into muscle memory.
- Produce Under Pressure – At the end of the day, performance is proof. When the coach is making cuts, when the scout has a stopwatch, when the game is on the line—you have to deliver. That’s the bridge from fun to funds.
September is not just another month—it’s the month of testing. It’s where hitters tinker, push limits and figure out what makes them better. Then we build on that foundation with habits and strength through the winter.
So to every young player reading this: Don’t just play for fun. Don’t just dream about funds. Go Get Good (G.G.G.).
Because when the opportunity comes, it won’t be enough to be liked—it will come down to whether you can perform.
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.
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