Making a commitment you can believe in

It’s April and we are in the last month of the Empowerment Phase. Here’s the phased approach to development that sets me apart. Having a tried and true methodology protects my clients from an unprofessional version of me.

In the Empowerment Phase, we have to remain committed to doing stuff that is tough because this is where we develop skills. And it is skills that pay the bills.

After the Empowerment Phase, it is time to maintain the skills that have been developed.

The Application Phase doesn’t mean you should take it easy or take a break; it means you need to maintain.

In 2020, the pandemic afforded me time to focus on my physical health. I had lots of time to take long walks and also became an avid runner. I started my physical health journey weighing 270 pounds. By the end of 2020, I was down to 230. While I am happy to say I am maintaining my program, it is hard to do because I really like to eat, especially red velvet cake.

The Empowerment Phase is a very convicting phase. It took commitment and discipline for me to lose the weight. I needed those same newly developed mental muscles to help me maintain the weight loss.

I define commitment as making and keeping a promise first for yourself—something that can benefit others. Discipline to me means doing what needs to be done even when you don’t want to do it.

Really competitive baseball players know the sun shines bright and hot in the summer. And if you’re really good or want to be really good, the spotlight will really shine on you.

The summer is not the time to figure out how to perform—that should have started in August.

Here’s a good skill build drill for you to do for 3,000-6,000 reps through the Application Phase.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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.

One-on-One with L.E.A.D. Program Coordinator Intern Parris Austin

I’m going to start this blog with four fastballs, so dig in. Did you know that Atlanta is the No. 1 city for income inequality in America? In fact, if a person is born into poverty in Atlanta, there is just a 4% chance of escaping poverty in their lifetime.

Did you know that the late Bill Bartholomay was responsible along with Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr., for Major League Baseball relocating from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966 to help prove that Atlanta was a “City Too Busy To Hate”?

L.E.A.D. Center For Youth was established by my wife, Kelli, and I, in 2007 to empower an at-risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta by using the sport of baseball to teach Black boys how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism.

Our Breaking Barriers ATL program was created to create a brave space for the advancement of Atlanta’s youth in baseball and life.

This past weekend, I attended several baseball games at Buckhead Baseball along with L.E.A.D. Program Coordinator Intern Parris Austin. Following are some questions that he stepped up to the plate to answer while we were in between games.

Using 10 words or less, who are you?

A man no longer living in his comfort zone.

Where would you like to be in 10 years as a coach?

While it is always fulfilling to help baseball players improve and harness their skills, I would love to take on the responsibility of being a minority scouting director. In this role, I will provide MLB organizations with the best information possible to help improve diverse representation.

How is working with L.E.A.D. preparing you to go there?

Within the game, this job helps me gain experience and affords me an opportunity to form relationships with a number of directors and coaches associated with high school, collegiate and professional baseball from across the nation.

L.E.A.D. is a direct connection to a large pool of minority baseball talent. The curriculum boosts my interpersonal skills and assists me in better-identifying player needs while also building my credibility within the industry.

What are all of the levels of baseball that you have competed at?

Little League, USSSA Major, both state and national travel, high school, independent and affiliated professional baseball in the New York Mets organization

Using 10 words or less, how do you define a coach?

A teacher who develops strong leaders in sports and life.

What are the top three signs of a good coach?

Someone who is knowledgeable, honest about performance, and communicates well, win or lose.

When was the first time that you played on a baseball team when you were the minority based on race?

Little League at Perry Parham Baseball Association in 1992-93.

I believe that every boy in America of all races and ethnicities should play baseball for at least one season. What are the top three things that baseball can teach all boys?

I too believe every boy in America of all races and ethnicities should play baseball for at least one season. When practiced and applied, baseball teaches foundational leadership skills and mental toughness. Meanwhile, it also equips them with the ability to adapt to a new environment.

Atlanta is No. 1 for income inequality in America based on race with there being a disparity between the “Bluff,” which is majority African-Americans and low-income and Buckhead, which is majority White and wealthy. On Saturdays in the spring, you are serving as a coach with L.E.A.D. in the “Bluff.” What are the top three things that are the same about baseball in Buckhead compared to the “Bluff”? What are the top three things that are different?

When I think about baseball in Buckhead compared to the “Bluff,” I think about the five games I observed in one week, three in the “Bluff” and two in Buckhead, both of which concluded with the presence of support in the stands on game day.

Second, field maintenance and upkeep are a priority for both programs. Following intense rainfall, ball fields are generally soft and muddy however, the grounds crew at both parks evaluated and carefully repaired them ahead of schedule allowing games to be played as planned.

Third, the most up-to-date rules and regulations are implemented fairly to carry out each game. The on-field operations in Buckhead and the “Bluff” are managed effectively.

Imagine having to drown out the noise and visual distraction of a high-speed chase taking place in the middle of a game or having a mandatory police presence at each game. The safety of the neighborhoods that surround the ball field is the biggest difference between baseball in Buckhead and baseball in the “Bluff.”

Second, size matters when it comes to baseball fields. Boys in the “Bluff” are playing on a larger high school field versus their peers who play on a field designed for middle school athletes. This makes it challenging, yet not impossible, for players and coaches to analyze parts of the game such as hitting, baserunning and defense.

Lastly, there is a difference in accessibility between the two communities. Access to resources such as uniforms, transportation, and exposure to playing with a diverse group of team members is limited for the athletes in the “Bluff.” Without the support of L.E.A.D., many of these necessities would not be available to the boys.

What needs to be done to increase the number of African-Americans competing at the collegiate and professional levels of baseball?
  • Access to mentorship and counseling for the players and their parents.
  • Funding to build stronger middle and high school athletic programs and training facilities in underserved communities
  • Exposure and adequate funding to participate in competitive travel baseball
  • Educational scholarships and grants
  • Development of college recruitment programs that specifically target African American athletes
  • Build a stronger presence of African American managers and front-office staff at the collegiate and professional level
What skills do you have that will help increase the number of African-Americans competing at the collegiate and professional levels of baseball?

I know these kids and I can relate to their experiences. At times, I can relate to how they think about scenarios. I have walked the same streets and experienced the same emotions, both good and bad. The drugs, the violence, the peer pressure, everything that they go through I know.

Walking in their shoes gives me the insight to serve as a leader and increase the number of African Americans in the game. This is a skill money can’t buy.

I also take pride in providing high-quality instruction, strong decision-making when it comes to baseball strategy and scouting, professional etiquette, and 10 years of professional playing experience.

What skills do you not have that working with L.E.A.D. will teach you that will help you increase the number of African-Americans competing at the collegiate and professional levels of baseball?

This job has already begun to teach me about sustaining long-term relationships with high-level professionals in the industry and the city of Atlanta.

What’s the best hitting drill in your toolbox—one you believe will help all hitters get out of a hitting slump?

Mini wiffle ball drills with a line drive approach is a routine I use to help all hitters that want to get out of a hitting slump. The drill works for any age or skill level and focuses on reestablishing concentration and consistent contact.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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.

Why it is okay to show your emotions 

Photo by Mackenzi Stewart

April brings a lot of spring showers, along with some tears. I keep reminding myself that it is okay to cry when I am struggling emotionally and mentally.

I would argue that hitting a baseball is one of the most challenging things to do. I also believe that hitting a baseball is more mental than physical.

How do you feel when you step up to the plate and repeatedly fail?

As we know, baseball is a game that is just like life. Adults step up to the plate and go to work everyday and experience failure. Sometimes, especially after I receive a lot of no’s, it begins to take its toll on me. And sometimes, this leads to me shedding tears as a way to heal.

As you are experiencing the heartaches of winning baseball games and trying to win at the game of life, remember to:

  • Be a trustworthy person
  • Develop meaningful relationships with trustworthy people
  • Share your feelings with trusted people
  • Cry
  • Keep on trying

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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.

Getting past the ‘stupid’ things

Georgia State University Panthers Baseball (circa 1995). L-R: Willie Stroud, Jason Eller, Jason Glover and C.J. Stewart.

I Googled the meaning of a fool and saw a definition of a person being silly or stupid. April Fools Day occurs every year on April 1. This past April Fools Day made me think about some of the stupid things I’ve done in the past, as well as some of the stupid things I currently do.

I define stupidity as knowing the right thing to do and not doing it. To be stupid is to be a fool.

On the other hand, being intelligent is knowing the right thing to do and doing it.

In between lies ignorance and smarts, with the former meaning you don’t know, and thus, cannot do. The later meaning is that you do know but cannot do.

I was drafted twice by the Chicago Cubs. Instead of signing after being drafted out of high school, I went to Georgia State University, where I excelled on the field, but was academically ineligible. I transferred to DeKalb Junior College and did the same thing. After being drafted for the second time out of DeKalb Junior College by the Cubs, I signed and played two years in the Cubs’ organization.

“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

My stupid actions led to me not becoming the best baseball player I could be. I didn’t study. I didn’t take care of my body. The list is of “I didn’t’s” is long.

I am 46 years old and a lifelong learner who laughs at the stupid things I used to do.

However, I am still working to become an empathetic listener. I have a habit of acting stupidly when I cut people off from talking to me from time to time.

My wife, Kelli, and I were recent recipients of the “Atlanta Technical College Bridge Builders Award,” an annual event that recognizes outstanding contributions of community and business leaders whose work bridges the gap between citizens and resources to enhance the quality of life in metro Atlanta.

I have a life mission to be significant by serving millions and bringing them into a relationship with Christ, starting with my wife, Kelli, and our daughters, Mackenzi and Mackenna.

Fulfilling that mission makes me intelligent.

Speaking of intelligence, wouldn’t it be an intelligent move to have an all exclusive African-American baseball team compete in the next World Baseball Classic paying homage to the fact that the Negro Leagues introduced baseball to Japan, Canada and Latin America. This in spite of the 2023-24 MLB Season Opener having less than 4% of its players being African-American.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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.

‘What the game means to me.’ Two L.E.A.D. interns share their thoughts

Tre Hampton

Spring is here and this is my favorite season of life. Flowers start to bloom. The sun seems to shine brighter and bats are hitting baseballs.

It also is the time to be grateful for the coaching support I have in young men like Tre Hampton and Andre Paris. They are a blessing to me and can be for you as well.

I recently sat down with them to get their thoughts on what the game of baseball means to them.

Who’s your favorite MLB team and why?

Tre Hampton: My favorite is the Atlanta Braves mainly because I am from suburban Atlanta. I grew up watching my heroes such as Rafael Furcal, Bobby Cox and Andrew “Chipper” Jones. That was my childhood in a nutshell.

Andre Paris: It’s the Atlanta Braves. I’ve always been a hometown fan, so I’m going to root for every professional team in my state. As a child, going to my first Braves game made me fall in love with the team. Getting to see Chipper Jones hit a home run at that game was such a magical experience.

Andre Paris
What do you enjoy most about your job as a L.E.A.D. Center For Youth Program Coordinator Intern?

Hampton: Being around the game I love and being able to be a mentor. I am all about helping boys become men. That’s the main reason I coach. A lot of the kids we serve come from dysfunctional home situations or just are having a hard time being raised in the inner city.

Someone like me, who was raised by his mother, can empathize with a lot of them. Some of these Ambassadors’ futures are in serious jeopardy and they don’t even know it. It’s not their job at this age to worry about these things.

Paris: Being able to mentor young Black males is my favorite part. It’s fun and rewarding to be able to teach the game of baseball, while also being able to be a relatable and understanding mentor to the situations they are facing. The relationships I get to build are what I enjoy the most because they will last beyond playing baseball.

What’s a go-to drill for helping hitters get out of their slumps?

Hampton: It depends on the dynamic of the slump. If I have a Junior Ambassador or Ambassador who’s making contact, but he’s not squaring anything up, I’ll access his swing and put him on the tee. This is the best drill, especially for elite level players who have great mechanics. If they are slumping, but are making contact, there is a good chance their swing is just out of sync.

What I love about the tee is you can place the ball at any location in the strike zone and see how their body/swing responds to that location. If you swing and the ball is not back-spinning on a line to the back of the cage, you know where the hole in the swing is. You can make the adjustment.

Since the ball is not moving, the tee is going to make you be more consistent in your movements, which help to produce a great swing. Baseball is a game of repetition, and doing numerous amounts of swings off the tee can help anyone, no matter the skill level.

The core value I struggled with most as a child, which I excel at now, is teamwork… As I got older, and my mindset evolved, I realized the importance of depending on the people around me. — Andre Paris

Now, if a player is slumping and his strikeout numbers are up—meaning he’s not making any contact—as a coach, the first thing I’ll do is give him a day off to get his mind off the game. You have to make sure the mental part of the game is right.

But as far as drills go, I would go with a vision drill. Have him stand in the box and face a live pitcher or pitching machine. Each ball delivered will have a colored dot on it, and as he hits it, he has to tell me what color the dot is on the ball.

For whatever reason, sometimes a hitter is not seeing the ball, which raises his strikeout numbers. That could be due to a plethora of things, such as “pressing” or just whatever is going on outside the game.

Paris: My go-to drill is the front toss. I prefer to do the basics—let the ball tell me what I need to do to help correct the player’s swing. The front toss is effective because you get to watch the ball fly. It provides instant results.

If the player is making solid contact and driving the ball; I believe it gives him the motivation he needs in his swing. When you make contact, eventually, those balls fall in for hits. If a hitter is doing front toss and missing the ball, he will need to adjust his timing. If he is making soft contact, then mechanically he will have to change some things to maximize his swing.

L.E.A.D. is governed by six Core Values: excellence, humility, integrity, loyalty, stewardship and teamwork. Which of these did you struggle with the most as a child, and which do you excel with now as a coach?

Hampton: I would say humility. As a child, I sometimes had that selfish attitude as an athlete. While it is something you need to have, you have to be able to control your ego. As a coach, I tell my Ambassadors and Junior Ambassadors to have a quiet confidence. If you have to tell people you are good, they probably are not, or they are just arrogant. We have no space for you on this team.

Paris: The core value I struggled with most as a child, which I excel at now, is teamwork. I’m a pretty reserved person, so growing up I tended to separate myself from groups because I liked being alone. While playing sports, I usually was the kid who could get it done alone. Sometimes I doubted my teammates because I felt I could be a superhero and carry the load alone.

As I got older, and my mindset evolved, I realized the importance of depending on the people around me. I started to understand that if a task was separated into smaller jobs, everyone could pitch in. It is more efficient that way and results in less stress. This allowed me to see the importance of working with others, because sometimes, individually we fall short.

What are the top three things all middle school and high school players must have to stay to become a college and/or professional baseball player?

Hampton: It starts with skill. Work on the five tools of baseball. If you want to play D-I baseball, you need at least one or two of these tools, especially the hit or power tool) As a pitcher, velocity is the best tool you can have. After that, having a big fastball is a plus, as well as a good follow up pitch.

Second is character. Who are you as a person? Coaches are going to do a deep dive into who you are when they are scouting and recruiting. How does your mind work? Can you think for yourself or do you rely on your parents for answers? Do you treat your opponents with respect? That starts with you. Do you treat yourself with respect? Have respect for the game. Is your uniform clean? Your cleats? How do you look on game day?

L.E.A.D. is preparing me for countless amounts of careers in the future. Honestly, all I have to do is pick one that suits me. I have been exposed to so many opportunities. — Tre Hampton

What do your coaches and fellow players think about you? Your academic advisers and teachers? How do you perform off the field—in the classroom? I do not have time for weak- minded players in my program. I’m looking for Ambassadors and Junior Ambassadors who not only want to win ball games, but want to become even greater men.

The last skill is work ethic. It must be unmatched. Talent will only get you so far. As a coach, I want to feel a player’s handshake. If I don’t feel or see any calluses, that’s a red flag for me.

As a bonus, you have to be coachable.

Paris: Players on every level have to be coachable. That means having a resilient attitude and a good work ethic. Being coachable is very important because coaches are one of the most important resources you need to get to the next level. You have to be willing to take criticism in order to benefit yourself as an individual and benefit your team.

A resilient mindset is also important because baseball is a game of failure. Having the ability to fail, and still go back and not let it affect you the next time around is what separates good players from great players.

And a good work ethic will separate a talented and lazy player from an average and hardworking player. To be successful at any level of a sport, you have to be willing to perfect your craft and put in the time and reps. If you can get up and practice, and take those extra swings and make those extra throws—even on days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed—you will see results on the field.

What career is L.E.A.D. preparing you to do 10 years from today?

Hampton: To become one of the best college baseball coaches in the country.

Paris: L.E.A.D. is preparing me for countless amounts of careers in the future. Honestly, all I have to do is pick one that suits me. I have been exposed to so many opportunities. I have a range of choices, all the way from being a manager of a team to being in the front office of an organization.

Personally, I would prefer to do marketing and apparel for a company. I have had the opportunity to connect with many people holding those positions who I can learn from.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.

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.