In the world of baseball, the term “excellence” is often tossed around like a well-worn glove, but what does it really mean? For many, the idea of excellence has been conflated with the notion of “going above and beyond.”

But I believe that true excellence lies not in surpassing expectations, but in meeting them consistently and precisely.

When I coach my hitters, I emphasize the importance of clarity—understanding what is expected of them and then determining if they have the time, energy, and ability to meet those expectations. This approach isn’t just about being a good team player; it’s about mastering the art of execution. Excellence is not about overextending yourself; it’s about delivering exactly what is asked of you, with precision and reliability.

The Conversation: Understanding Expectations

Let’s break down this concept with a typical scenario on the field:

• Coach: “Hey, I’m thinking about putting you in the cleanup spot today. How do you feel about that?”
• Player: “Coach, I’d love to. But what do you expect from me in that role?”
• Coach: “As our cleanup hitter, I need you to drive in runs, especially with runners on base. You’ll likely face situations where we need to capitalize on scoring opportunities.”
• Player: “Got it. So, you’re looking for solid contact and situational awareness at the plate, right?”
• Coach: “Exactly. I’m not asking for home runs every time. I want you to focus on getting those runners in, whether it’s with a single, double, or even a sacrifice fly.”
• Player: “I feel confident I can deliver that. I’ll focus on making solid contact and being smart about my approach.”

In this exchange, the player seeks to understand exactly what is expected before committing to the role. By clarifying expectations, they can tailor their approach to meet the coach’s needs. If the player successfully drives in runs and executes in critical situations, that’s excellence—not because they have gone above and beyond, but because they’ve met the precise expectations set before them.

The Assessment Phase: A Time for Exploration

From August to October, I guide my hitters through what I call the Assessment Phase. This is a period for experimentation, where batting averages take a backseat to exploration and growth. During these three months, I encourage my hitters to try new things—to discover what works and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.

The goal here is not to achieve immediate perfection but to develop athleticism and adaptability. Being athletic, in this context, means having the ability to get things done even when you’re venturing into uncharted territory. It’s about embracing the process of trial and error, understanding that failure is a crucial part of eventual success.

I don’t expect my hitters to come out of the gate swinging a perfect average during the Assessment Phase. What I do expect is commitment to the process. If they dedicate themselves to trying new approaches, techniques, and strategies during these three months, that’s excellence.

It is about the discipline to experiment, learn, and grow without wearing themselves out by chasing unrealistic standards.

Redefining Excellence

Excellence in baseball—and in life—is not about exhausting yourself to exceed every expectation. It’s about doing what is asked of you, doing it well, and doing it consistently. It’s about understanding your role, setting realistic goals, and executing with precision.

So, when you step up to the plate, remember: Excellence isn’t about how far you go beyond the call of duty, but about how reliably you fulfill it. And during the Assessment Phase, embrace the opportunity to grow, knowing that your commitment to the process is what truly defines excellence.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth 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.

Understanding the difference between intuitive and intrusive thoughts can significantly impact a hitter’s performance and overall development.

Intuitive Thoughts

Being intuitive means having the ability to understand or know things without needing proof or evidence. Intuitive thinking involves going with one’s first instinct and making quick decisions based on automatic cognitive processes.

This type of thinking is best developed during our Assessment Phase from August to October. During this phase, my hitters experiment with various techniques to discover what works best for them. They might try different load styles like a hand drop load, high leg, or toe tap in my Hitting Lab.

The goal is to foster athleticism, which I define as the ability to succeed even without knowing exactly how.

This phase encourages them to become critical thinkers who understand their bodies and minds, allowing them to make rapid adjustments and avoid becoming robotic in their movements.

Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts, on the other hand, are unwanted, involuntary, and often disturbing thoughts or images that enter the mind. These thoughts typically arise during performance when confidence is lacking. Confidence, in my view, is knowing you can accomplish something because you’ve done it before.

To combat intrusive thoughts, I create high-stress scenarios in my Hitting Lab using tools like a Tanner Tee and baseballs that simulate facing a pitcher with an above-average fastball and off-speed pitches. My philosophy is that training should be tougher than the actual test. Hitters who are well-trained will respond to intrusive thoughts with the appropriate adjustments and fundamental skills.

Development Phases

– Assessment Phase (August-October): Experimenting with new techniques to find out what works.
– Engagement and Build Phase (November-January): Building habits and strength.
– Empowerment and Conversion Phase (February- April): Converting habits into skills.
– Application and Maintenance Phase (May-July): Applying and maintaining the skills developed throughout the year.

Regular, quality training minimizes the frequency and impact of intrusive thoughts, enabling hitters to perform confidently and instinctively under pressure.

1. Can you describe a time when you trusted your first instinct while playing baseball? How did it turn out?
2. What new techniques or skills have you tried recently? How did experimenting with them help you understand your abilities better?
3. How do you handle unwanted or negative thoughts during a game? What strategies do you use to stay focused?
4. In what ways has training in stressful scenarios helped you perform better during actual games?
5. Can you think of a moment when your confidence came from knowing you had practiced and succeeded before? How did that confidence impact your performance?

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth 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.

In the world of baseball, preparation is everything. For my hitters, the period from February to April is dedicated to intensive training, while May to July is all about maintaining those hard-earned skills. Understanding the distinction between these phases is crucial for any player aiming for peak performance.

Training: The Foundation of Success

Training is the intentional inducing of stress to prepare athletes for their ultimate test—the game. Much like the military prepares for warfare, baseball players train to excel in the heat of competition. The more well-trained you are, the better you will perform under stress.

Practicing builds habits, but training builds skills. Talent is what you do well; habits are what you do well repeatedly without thought; and skills are what you do well repeatedly without thought while under stress.

Maintaining: Keeping the Edge Sharp

The summer months are when the really good players get to test their mettle against teams from across the country and sometimes even the world. With school out, it’s beneficial for players to shift their focus to maintenance mode. This ensures that the intense training from February to April translates into peak performance during the summer games. Your bat should be as hot as the sun, ready to meet any challenge.

Self-Assessment: Are You in Maintenance Mode?

Here are five questions players aged 10-22 can ask themselves to ensure they are in mental maintenance mode, having trained effectively from February to April:

1. Am I consistently performing the skills I trained in during the offseason without overthinking them during games?
– This question helps you assess if your training has become second nature, allowing you to perform under stress.

2. Do I feel confident in my abilities when facing tough competition from different regions or countries?
– Confidence is a sign that your training has prepared you well for higher levels of competition.

3. Am I able to maintain my focus and composure during games, even when things aren’t going my way?
– Staying focused and composed indicates strong mental conditioning from your training period.

4. Do I notice improvements in my game performance compared to last year’s summer season?
– Comparing your current performance to past seasons helps measure the effectiveness of your training.

5. Am I making quick, effective adjustments during games without needing extensive coaching intervention?
– The ability to self-adjust is a hallmark of a well-trained athlete in maintenance mode.

By reflecting on these questions, players can gauge their readiness and ensure they are maximizing their potential during the crucial summer months. Training hard from February to April sets the foundation, but maintaining those skills is what will truly make a difference on the field.

Remember, the path to success in baseball, as in life, is built on diligent preparation and consistent performance. Keep training, keep maintaining, and watch your game soar to new heights.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth 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.