Later this month, we’ll be launching “The Cost of Giving Up Control: How Parents Can Take Back the Future for Their Youth Baseball Players” on the LEAD website. The guide is designed to help parents reclaim their role in shaping their children’s baseball journeys and futures.
December marks the Build Phase (November–January), a critical time for establishing habits and strength—what many call “winter workouts.”
These habits are the foundation for the Conversion Phase (February–April), where habits are transformed into skills, and the Application Phase (May–July), where players focus on consequential performance.
A Story to Prove the Point
Justice Morrison, one of our standout Ambassadors, had tremendous raw talent but struggled when it came to game-day performance. His parents believed that playing more games would solve the issue. But Justice kept repeating the same mistakes under pressure.
When we shifted the focus to habit honing during winter workouts, we discovered that his biggest challenge was tracking pitches effectively. By incorporating targeted drills, like the Leo Rojas Drill, into his training, Justice developed sharper focus and precision at the plate.
By spring, Justice wasn’t just playing games—he was performing under pressure. His preparation caught the attention of a college scout, setting him up for future success.
This story underscores the importance of the Build Phase. Developing strong habits now lays the foundation for performance when it truly matters.
A Habit-Honing Drill for Winter Workouts
The Leo Rojas Drill is one of my favorite tools for helping hitters improve their pitch tracking. In this drill, hitters track the trajectory and speed of different-colored balls thrown by a coach.
The goal is to train their eyes to focus on the ball’s movement, building the habit of consistent tracking at the plate.
CHECK OUT this drill here: Leo Rojas Drill
This deliberate, stress-free practice builds a habit that becomes an automatic skill under pressure—a crucial element for success in high-stakes games.
Stay tuned for the launch of this guide, and let’s take back control of the future for youth baseball players—starting with this winter’s Build Phase.
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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