As the summer winds down, so does what I call the Show—the application phase of the year where players put everything on the line. May, June and July are the months when you see who’s truly ready. By August, we shift from performing to evaluating. It’s back to the Lab—a time to test, try and tweak.
Baseball, like life, moves in seasons. And just like rounding the bases, you need checkpoints to assess your growth. The hype, the likes and the highlight reels may bring you attention—but attention isn’t the same as development. The real test is whether you can perform when the spotlight is hot, the pressure is high and the audience is full of decision-makers who don’t know your name or your story—yet.
So, whether you’re 8 or 18, aiming for a college scholarship or a draft day call, here are four essential questions you must be able to answer coming out of the Show phase and entering the Lab. They’re framed as a trip around the bases—with each base representing a critical “H” of your development: Heart, Head, Hands and Humility.
Home to First: Heart
Do you still love the game when it doesn’t love you back?
Summer tournaments are full of highs—walk-offs, web gems and wins. But what about the strikeouts? The bad hops? The long car rides home in silence? When the game doesn’t affirm you, will your heart still be in it?
College coaches and pro scouts don’t just look for talent—they look for toughness. If the game breaks you down, will your love for it help build you back up?
First to Second: Head
What have you learned about yourself as a player and person this summer?
This isn’t about stats. It’s about awareness. How do you respond to pressure? Who are you when you’re not the best on the field? Do you ask questions or pretend you know it all?
Coaches want thinkers who can adjust. The game is mental and your head can’t be a liability. Know yourself—or someone else will define you.
Second to Third: Hands
What skills have you proven you can execute under pressure?
Hands reveal your truth—how you hit, field, throw, and handle the ball when it matters most. The game doesn’t lie. Can you repeat your swing? Make the routine play? Throw a strike when everything’s on the line?
Skills pay the bills. And if your hands aren’t ready, no amount of hustle or hype will hide that.
Third to Home: Humility
Are you coachable enough to grow when the lights are off?
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of others more than yourself.
It’s not weakness.
It’s strength under control.
It’s not silence.
It’s listening with intent.
It’s not backing down.
It’s lifting others while you level up.
When the cameras are gone and the stands are empty, are you still doing the work? Do you take feedback without flinching? Do you crave correction—or run from it?
The fall season exposes the humble from the hype. Pride will keep you stagnant. Humility will get you home.
This journey isn’t just about playing baseball—it’s about becoming the ticket. Because there are two kinds of people in this game:
- Those who buy tickets to watch.
- And those who are the ticket—the ones people pay to see.
The Show is over. The Lab is open. Time to find out who you really are.
Let’s run it back.
— CJ Stewart (Professional Coach. System Builder. Scout. Ticket.)
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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