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.

At LEAD Center For Youth, development is more than just a word; it embodies our commitment and mission. We define development as the Deliberate Effort to Value and Empower Learners to Obtain Personal Mastery and Excellence through Nurturing Training.

This definition guides everything we do, especially our highest level of programming, the LEAD Ambassadors. These Black boys from Metropolitan Atlanta are nurtured to become Major League Players and Major League Citizens. Achieving this requires a partnership with LEAD, their parents and additional supporters.

Over the next few weeks, I will break down our development definition, starting with the concept of deliberate effort.

Deliberate Effort in LEAD’s Development Approach

Deliberate effort is at the core of our development philosophy. It’s about intentionality in every action we take, ensuring we create the best possible environment for our youth to thrive. Here are some key examples of how we implement deliberate effort at LEAD:

• Who We Recruit to Develop
• Our Namesake
• What We Wear

Who We Recruit to Develop

We specifically recruit Black American boys from metro Atlanta because this is home for my wife, Kelli, and me. Kelli, the CEO of LEAD, was born in Atlanta and raised in Oglethorpe County. She graduated from Cedar Shoals High School in 1996. I was born and raised in Atlanta, graduating from Westlake High School in 1994.

We now live in Cobb County, with our 5,500-square-foot LEAD Center For Youth indoor training facility located in the Historic West End of Atlanta. Our deliberate focus on serving Black boys from our community is rooted in our personal and professional commitment to giving back to the place that shaped us.

Our Namesake

The LEAD Ambassadors pay homage to U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, a childhood hero of mine and a global icon. Andrew Young supports LEAD and represented the diplomatic and leadership qualities we aim to instill in our youth when he served as the U.S. Ambassador. Just as he and Hank Aaron were present at my baseball games at Cascade Youth Organization (CYO), we strive to be there for our boys, inspiring them to greatness.

The term “Ambassador” signifies a government-designated diplomatic representative, and our LEAD Ambassadors embody this role by promoting the game of baseball and serving as inspirations in Atlanta and beyond.

What We Wear

Our colors, power red and black, are symbolic. Red represents life, and black stands for power. Growing up in Atlanta, I was surrounded by the powerful red of brands like Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, Delta, and CNN. These global brands symbolize the strength and vitality we want our boys to associate with.

LEAD, while not yet a household name, is recognized worldwide for our mission since our founding in 2007. Our organization uses baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome crime, poverty, and racism. Our vision is to develop Black youth into Ambassadors who will lead Atlanta and, ultimately, the world.

At LEAD, excellence is non-negotiable. We lead with deliberate effort to ensure our youth receive the best training and support possible.

Next week, I will delve into how we Value and Empower Learners. Stay tuned as we continue to explore what development means to LEAD Center For Youth.

Remember, this definition belongs to LEAD and cannot be used without our written permission.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

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.