Each year, my hitters and I follow a deliberate four-phase development cycle. It keeps us focused, accountable and progressing with purpose:
August–October: Assessment Phase
Try new approaches. Evaluate what works and what doesn’t. Be honest.
November–January: Engagement Phase
Build habits and strength from the lessons learned. Establish rhythm.
February–April: Empowerment Phase
Delegate. Give responsibility and authority to others. Build leaders.
May–July: Application Phase
Execute. Apply what’s been tested. Perform under pressure. Deliver.
Right now, it’s Application Season for me and for my hitters. But this isn’t just about mechanics, swings, and stats—it’s about meaning. It’s about facing what’s complicated and complex in youth baseball and life with conviction.
Complex vs. Complicated: Why Conviction is Key
Life is complex—it has many moving parts. It’s also complicated—often tangled in politics, power, and perception. The travel youth sports industry—now worth over $39 billion annually—is both.
Too often, when we use head knowledge to solve complicated and complex problems, we fail—because the people causing the most disruption aren’t operating logically. They’re manipulating emotion, chasing clout or protecting power.
You can’t out-logic dysfunction.
That’s why I lead with conviction. Because if you can’t reach the heart, you’ll never change the system.
10 Convicting Truths About Travel Youth Baseball
1. Travel ball has become a business, not a development tool.
Most kids are customers, not students.
2. Recreation baseball has nearly disappeared.
If you’re not in travel, you’re seen as not good enough.
3. Being on a travel team doesn’t mean you’re being developed.
Exposure without preparation leads to embarrassment.
4. Parents are more invested in feelings than futures.
They protect comfort instead of building character.
5. Most travel players won’t get a scholarship.
Yet families spend like they already signed.
6. Many players lack basic life skills.
They’re trained to play, not to live.
7. Coaches often recruit, not develop.
The model rewards winning, not teaching.
8. College and pro scouts don’t chase social media.
They chase skills, toughness and coachability.
9. Too many kids are quitting by age 13.
Burnout happens when love is never lit.
10. The sport is losing its soul chasing dollars.
Without conviction, baseball becomes a costume party.
10 Simple Solutions for a Convicted Future
1. Return to purpose-driven programming.
Define success beyond trophies—focus on growth.
2. Rebuild the rec level with dignity.
Make it cool again to learn at the base.
3. Educate families early about the odds.
Truth sets expectations and reduces debt.
4. Train character like you train hitting.
Make mental reps part of the workout.
5. Reward coaches who teach, not just win.
Spotlight development programs, not just tournament wins.
6. Develop a scouting education for parents and players.
Help them see what scouts see—and don’t.
7. Encourage seasonal play to reduce burnout.
Kids need time away to come back better.
8. Create affordable skill labs year-round.
Quality reps don’t require hotel rooms and flights.
9. Normalize failure and teach recovery.
Let kids struggle safely. That’s where growth is.
10. Lead with conviction, not convenience.
When you protect the heart of the game, it beats longer.
May, June, and July are when I apply what I believe. I teach my hitters to do the same. But in this world of performative perfection, we cannot forget that conviction is our compass. Without it, we drift into comfort. With it, we confront complexity.
Let’s apply with heart. Let’s train with truth. And let’s build something that lasts—beyond stats, beyond rankings, beyond summer.
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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