In baseball culture, two phrases get used more than any others: “work hard” and “trust the process.”
The problem is that both phrases have become trite. Everybody says them, but very few people can define them. And when words lose meaning, habits lose power.
That’s why every year, November, December and January are winter workout months for my hitters, and these months are all about engagement—building habits, strengthening the body, sharpening the mind, and setting a standard.
Then, when February, March and April arrive—play ball season—our work shifts to empowerment. The habits built during winter must be converted into skills under the pressure of competition.
In simple terms:
Winter builds your engine.
Spring proves your engine can win races.
But none of it means anything—not the reps, not the lifts, not the hitting sessions—if players don’t understand what working hard actually is.
“Hard Work” Isn’t Enough — Values in Action Are What Matter
Saying “work hard” is easy. It sounds good. It’s motivational. But by itself, it’s empty.
Real development requires core values, and those values must be enacted.
Values in action become virtues.
These are my core values—what “working hard” actually means inside our program:
- Excellence — Meeting expectations consistently
- Humility — Thinking of others more than yourself
- Integrity — Doing the right thing, especially when the wrong thing is easier
- Loyalty — Unwavering commitment
- Stewardship — Protecting what matters: your beliefs, your standards, your team
- Teamwork — Individuals being excellent within a shared mission
A team full of excellent individuals—each meeting expectations inside a common mission—won’t just win games.
They’ll win in a way that is repeatable and sustainable.
Luck wins once.
Values win repeatedly.
What Working Hard Looks Like
Here is what each value looks like in action for young hitters during winter (habits) and spring (skills):
1. Excellence — Meeting Expectations
Winter (Habits):
- Showing up on time
- Knowing drills before practice begins
- Completing off-field strength work without reminders
Spring (Skills):
- Executing your hitting plan at the plate
- Applying adjustments from your coach instantly
- Competing with purpose every rep
2. Humility — Thinking of Others More Than Yourself
Winter (Habits):
- Helping a teammate understand a drill
- Asking questions instead of pretending you already know
- Taking feedback without excuses
Spring (Skills):
- Moving runners over
- Adjusting your approach for the team situation
- Celebrating teammates’ success as much as your own
3. Integrity — Doing the Right Thing
Winter (Habits):
- Not cheating reps when no one is watching
- Tracking your work honestly in journals or apps
- Owning your mistakes out loud
Spring (Skills):
- Staying committed to your approach even after a bad at-bat
- Being honest about injuries or fatigue
- Telling the truth about what you saw in a scouting report
4. Loyalty — Unwavering Commitment
Winter (Habits):
- Sticking to your hitting plan for the entire cycle
- Attending all team workouts, not just the fun ones
- Staying committed to strength gains, not shortcuts
Spring (Skills):
- Staying locked in during slumps
- Believing in your preparation when pressure hits
- Staying committed to team strategy, even when you want the spotlight
5. Stewardship — Protect What Matters
Winter (Habits):
- Keeping your bag organized
- Fueling your body properly
- Maintaining your journal, swing notes, and routines
Spring (Skills):
- Protecting team culture—correcting selfishness
- Staying disciplined with pre-game and post-game routines
- Safeguarding your confidence by controlling your self-talk
6. Teamwork — Individuals Being Excellent Together
Winter (Habits):
- Communicating clearly during drills
- Encouraging teammates to meet expectations
- Learning everyone’s strengths
Spring (Skills):
- Executing cutoffs and relays
- Being in the right place at the right time
- Playing your role fully—starter or bench
Technical vs. Tactical: The Two Sides of Real Work Ethic
There is a huge difference between working hard and having a work ethic.
Work ethic requires two dimensions:
1. Technical (Physical Skills)
These are the visible actions:
- Hitting
- Pitching
- Lifting
- Speed and agility
- Mechanics
- Swing changes
- Reps, drills and execution
Technical work builds the body and the swing.
2. Tactical (Mental + Behavioral Skills)
These are the invisible actions:
- Discipline
- Focus
- Preparation
- Approach at the plate
- Study habits
- Emotional control
- Decision-making
- Resilience after failure
Tactical work builds the mind and the character.
When technical and tactical work are forged together, players create IMPACT.
- You can be strong but undisciplined.
- You can be technically gifted but emotionally fragile.
- You can be talented but inconsistent.
But when the technical (your mechanics) and tactical (your mindset) lock together—players become dangerous in the best way.
And they stay that way.
Winter Workouts Build Your Engine. Spring Baseball Reveals Your Character.
November through January:
Engagement → Habits → Strength → Repetition → Foundation
February through April:
Empowerment → Skills → Execution → Pressure → Production
This is the cycle.
This is the method.
This is how young hitters age 8–18 transform from “working hard” to working with virtue, purpose and impact.
And this is how baseball develops not just better players, but Major League Citizens for life.
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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