As we transition into the Build Phase (November-January), it is time to focus on strengthening what works. The foundation of this phase is built on the insights gained during the Assessment Phase (August-October), where hitters experiment with new approaches to discover what doesn’t work and, most importantly, what does.

At its core, this phase is about creating habits—specifically those that will carry you through the season and beyond. But what exactly is a habit? A habit is composed of three essential components: cue, routine and reward.

• Cue – The trigger that initiates an action.
• Routine – The actions you take consistently in response to the cue.
• Reward – The outcome that reinforces the habit.

The Build Phase: Key Areas of Focus

For hitters, about 95% of their intentional practice time during this phase is devoted to building a consistent routine centered on timing, approach, and extension. These elements are critical for producing power and, ultimately, getting lots of hits—the reward every hitter desires.

But the true challenge comes when the game season arrives. Many hitters fail to maintain a high level of performance, leading to doubt about the effectiveness of their winter workouts. The issue often lies not in the routine itself but in the lack of adjustments to the cues.

Why Changing Cues is Crucial

In games, pitchers are the ultimate curveballs—literally and figuratively. They introduce variable cues through changes in pitch type, speed, and location. If a hitter’s training environment doesn’t simulate these unpredictable changes, the habits built during the Build Phase won’t translate effectively to the field.

To address this, I incorporate tools and techniques that modify cues and simulate game-like scenarios:

• Hitting Jack-It Weights – These weights are excellent for altering swing mechanics and simulating changes in pitch speed. By training under varying resistance, hitters adapt to fluctuating cues, much like they would in a real game.
• Duraband & Durabat – The Duraband Complete Baseball Trainer is a game-changer in developing strength, mechanics, and focus. It introduces variability to the training process, allowing hitters to build habits that withstand the test of in-game conditions. Learn more about the Duraband HERE.
• Tanner Tee Adjustments – By varying height placement on the tee, hitters develop adaptability in their swing plane and extension, preparing them for the wide range of pitch locations they will encounter during games.
• Front Toss & Coach Pitch – These methods help train hitters to react to changing speeds and trajectories, further reinforcing their ability to adapt their routines to different cues.

Building for Success

The Build Phase is not just about physical repetition; it is about intentionally training the mind and body to adapt. The routines established during this phase should be robust enough to handle the inevitable changes that come with competitive play.

Remember, the key to building a good habit lies in embracing change—not resisting it. By modifying cues during training, hitters develop a level of consistency that prepares them to thrive under the unpredictable conditions of the season.

The habits formed now, during the Build Phase, will serve as the backbone of success when it matters most. So, stay focused, embrace the process and trust the work you’re putting in this winter.

** Photo at 2025 Buck O’Neil Professional Scouts and Coaches Association Convention

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.

As we transition into November, December and January, these months are crucial for our hitters. While August through October was a period of exploration—trying new techniques to see what works and what doesn’t—this season focuses on solidifying effective habits and building strength. We’re laying the groundwork now for skills that will hold under pressure come spring.

A habit has three parts: cue, routine and reward. This structure is essential to mastering movements and mental preparation. However, while routines are vital, focusing only on them can be limiting. In the game, cues—like pitch speed, location and type—are constantly changing, so it’s critical to adapt and recognize those cues to stay prepared.

Winter workouts should emphasize consistent, strong habits. Talent is what you do well; habits are what you do well repeatedly without error; and skill is the ability to do it well without thought.

As we move closer to February, March and April, we’ll increase the pressure to convert these habits into true, game-ready skills.

In my hitting labs, this approach is all about the “forge” factor. Forge means to create something strong and enduring through intense heat and pressure—a process that turns raw talent into reliable skill.

This winter, let’s forge resilient, adaptable hitters.

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.

Welcome to the final week of our TRIAL series. Over the last four weeks, we have rolled through the process of Testing, Reflecting, Implementing and Adjusting. Now, it’s time to wrap up this phase by focusing on the final letter in TRIAL: L for Learn.

This week is all about taking stock of what you’ve gained through this journey. Learning isn’t just something that happens in the moment; it is a process of collecting knowledge and using it to inform your future actions.

As we wrap up the Assessment Phase and prepare to enter the Build Phase, let’s focus on what we’ve learned—about ourselves, our skills and our growth as hitters.

Here’s what I want you to focus on:

• What have you learned about your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are the key takeaways from your testing, reflection and adjustments?
• How will you apply these lessons as we enter the Build Phase in November?

Learning is not just about recognizing what works and what doesn’t; it is about internalizing those lessons so that they shape your habits and decisions moving forward. In the “Build Phase” (November through January), we’ll focus on turning these lessons into consistent habits and building the strength we need to grow.

But before we look ahead, take this week to absorb everything you’ve learned. This final step is crucial because it allows you to solidify your understanding of what you need to do to improve. Learning from this process will help you be more effective in your training, more disciplined in your execution and more confident in your abilities.

As always, Integrity continues to be our core value. True learning requires integrity—it is about honestly accepting both your strengths and areas for improvement and using that knowledge to get better. Don’t shy away from what didn’t work. Embrace it as part of the learning process.

Here are a few key questions to ask yourself as you focus on learning this week:

• What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about yourself during this phase?
• How will you carry that lesson into the Build Phase?
• Are there any lingering habits or approaches that need to be reconsidered based on what you’ve learned?

As we move into the next phase of training, you’ll use these lessons to build habits and strength. What you’ve learned over the last three months will be the foundation for your progress going forward.

Next week, we’ll start preparing for the Build Phase, but for now, take this final week to reflect on what you’ve learned and be proud of how far you’ve come.

Remember, learning never stops—it is a lifelong process, especially in baseball.

Let’s continue to work with integrity and grow stronger every day.

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.

Welcome to Week 3 of our TRIAL series. So far, we’ve spent the first two weeks Testing new things and Reflecting on what we’ve learned. Now that we have a clearer understanding of what works and what doesn’t, it’s time to take the next step: I for Implement.

Implementation is where the magic happens. It’s one thing to reflect on what’s working, but the real progress comes when you take those lessons and start actively putting them into practice.

This week, you’re challenged to focus on implementation. That means deliberately working on the techniques and strategies that have proven to be effective from the tests and reflections over the past two weeks.

Remember:

• Implement what works, and focus on building consistency.
• Stick to the strategies that are helping you improve, and don’t be afraid to leave behind the ones that aren’t.
• This isn’t the time to start experimenting again—we’ve done the trial and reflection. Now, it’s time to commit.

Here’s where our core value of Integrity continues to guide us. Integrity means staying committed to doing the right things, even when no one’s watching. As hitters, it’s easy to drift back to old habits or cut corners when implementing new techniques.

But this phase requires discipline. You’ve already done the hard work of testing and reflecting, so now you must trust the process and implement those lessons with focus and honesty.

Think about it this way:

• If you’ve learned that a certain stance or grip gives you better control, then implement it consistently.
  If you’ve found that being more patient at the plate results in better hits, then stick to it even when it’s tempting to swing early.

This week is all about putting action behind your insights. The Build Phase is right around the corner (November through January), and this is the foundation upon which you will build those habits and strength. Implementation is about setting those foundations, refining your skills, and preparing for that next step.

In next week’s blog, we’ll discuss A for Adjust, where we’ll make any final tweaks to perfect our approach before heading into the winter season. But for now, focus on implementing what you’ve learned with integrity.

Let’s put the work in. Stay consistent, stay disciplined, and start implementing your success.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

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.