The start of baseball season is full of hope. New uniforms. Fresh schedules. Clean stat lines. Every hitter believes this is the year everything clicks.
And then… the slump shows up.
Not panic. Not failure. A slump.
Before we overreact, let’s put slumps where they actually belong.
Where Slumps Sit in the Development Process
Development is not random. It follows a pattern:
- Struggle – Making mistakes out of ignorance while trying to achieve a goal
- Slump – Frustration caused by awareness without consistent execution
- Success – The achievement of a goal
A slump sits between struggle and success.
That matters.
Struggle means you don’t yet know what you don’t know.
A slump means you do know—and your body and mind are learning how to execute it consistently.
If you’re slumping, you’re not moving backward.
You’re getting closer.
A Brief, Honest Definition of a Slump
A slump is a short-term drop in performance caused by adjustment; not inability.
Slumps are not a signal to retreat.
They’re a signal that information is available.
The Season Has Started—So the Off-Season Receipts Matter
The off-season is over.
That was the time to:
- Build strength
- Improve swing decisions
- Develop routines
- Train your body and mind for consistency
Now the season is where preparation gets tested.
If the work was done, slumps don’t require panic; they require attention.
Three Questions to Ask at the Start of the Season
(To Set Attainable, Action-Oriented Goals)
Before talking about what to fix, hitters need clarity on what to pursue.
Ask yourself:
No. 1 – What is one controllable thing I can execute every at-bat?
(Quality swings, pitch selection, timing—something process-based.)
No. 2 – What does a “good at-bat” look like for me right now?
Not perfect. Realistic. Attainable.
No. 3 – What evidence will tell me I’m improving even if results lag?
Hard contact, fewer chase swings, better counts, confidence in approach.
These questions shift the focus from outcomes to execution—and that’s where slumps begin to resolve.
The Top 3 Things a Hitter Must Do During a Slump
A slump should never be passive.
You’re not sitting in a slump—you’re working through it.
1. Set Small, Winnable Goals
Success builds confidence. Confidence fuels execution.
Instead of “I need to start hitting,” aim for:
- One hard-hit ball per game
- Winning the first pitch decision
- Executing your approach in every at-bat
Momentum starts small.
2. Journal—Because Success Leaves Clues
Your best at-bats are trying to teach you something.
Write down:
- What you were thinking
- What you felt physically
- The situation
- The pitch you handled well
Patterns emerge when you pay attention.
Slumps hide answers—but journaling exposes them.
3. Study Your At-Bats (Use the Tech)
We live in a different era. Video doesn’t lie, but it also doesn’t judge.
Study:
- Your setup consistency
- Timing
- Swing decisions
- Body control under pressure
Don’t study to criticize.
Study to collect information.
Slumps are data.
Slumps Are Not the Enemy
Slumps mean:
- You care
- You’re aware
- You’re close
They don’t mean you’re broken.
They don’t mean the work didn’t matter.
They mean the process is unfolding.
So don’t retreat.
Don’t abandon your approach.
Don’t confuse frustration with failure.
Keep showing up.
Keep collecting information.
Keep stacking small wins.
Sometimes the shortest distance to success is straight through the slump.
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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