Summer baseball from May to July marks a crucial phase for my hitters. This period serves as a time for maintenance and application, allowing players to put a period on another learning phase before transitioning to the Assessment Phase, which runs from August to October.

During the summer, teams are actively competing across various levels:

• Recreation Teams participate in local tournaments.
• All-Star Teams compete statewide and regionally.
• Travel Teams face off nationally and internationally.

One of the significant differences between these levels of competition lies in the players’ ability to make quick adjustments and consistently replicate their success. Travel Teams, being the elite, excel in this area.

While these players are not ready for Major League Baseball just yet, the top Travel Team players are undoubtedly on the fast track to the MLB.

From my experience in coaching and scouting, I have observed that top-level high school-age Travel Ball pitchers can repeat their delivery and command their pitches about 40-50% of the time. This consistency is critical because if an opposing hitter cannot replicate their swing 40-50% of the time, they will struggle to compete effectively.

Competition at any level means being equally matched, pushing each other toward excellence. But simply sharing a common trait, such as height, does not equate to equal competition—for example, I am no competition for a 6-foot 2-inch NBA basketball player just because we are the same height.

Therefore, this summer, regardless of the level at which you are competing, take note of what you need to improve for the upcoming year from August to May.

Use the Assessment Phase from August to October to experiment with new techniques, determining what works and what doesn’t. This approach will set the foundation for continued growth and success in the sport.

Embrace the summer season as a time to solidify your skills and prepare for the next chapter. Remember, each phase is a stepping stone toward achieving excellence in baseball.

Summer baseball from May to July marks a crucial phase for my hitters. This period serves as a time for maintenance and application, allowing players to put a period on another learning phase before transitioning to the Assessment Phase, which runs from August to October.

During the summer, teams are actively competing across various levels:

• Recreation teams participate in local tournaments
• All-Star teams compete statewide and regionally
• Travel teams face off nationally and internationally

One of the significant differences between these levels of competition lies in the players’ ability to make quick adjustments and consistently replicate their success. Travel teams, being the elite, excel in this area. While these players are not ready for Major League Baseball just yet, the top Travel team players are undoubtedly on the fast track to the MLB.

From my experience in coaching and scouting, I have observed that top-level high school-age Travel Ball pitchers can repeat their delivery and command their pitches about 40%-50% of the time. This consistency is critical because if an opposing hitter cannot replicate their swing 40%-50% of the time, they will struggle to compete effectively.

Competition at any level means being equally matched, pushing each other towards excellence. But simply sharing a common trait, such as height, does not equate to equal competition—for example, I am no competition for a 6-foot 2-inch NBA basketball player just because we are the same height.

Therefore, this summer, regardless of the level at which you are competing, take note of what you need to improve for the upcoming year from August to May. Use the Assessment Phase from August to October to experiment with new techniques, determining what works and what doesn’t. This approach will set the foundation for continued growth and success in the sport.

Embrace the summer season as a time to solidify your skills and prepare for the next chapter. Remember, each phase is a stepping stone toward achieving excellence in baseball.

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.

While summer is when elite baseball players hit the field for countless games, the teams they choose to play for can make all the difference. Some teams are purely for play, while others ignite a deeper passion within players.

For many, the goal of playing baseball extends beyond just winning games; it’s about securing scholarships, chasing dreams of getting drafted and ultimately making it to the collegiate or professional level.

But for Black American players, the journey often is filled with challenges. Despite their talent and dedication, they face systemic barriers that limit their representation in higher levels of the sport.

As co-founders of LEAD Center For Youth, my wife, Kelli, and I are committed to changing this narrative. Our mission is clear: to use baseball and tennis as tools to equip Black youth with the skills to overcome the curveballs life throws their way—whether it’s crime, poverty or racism.

Baseball has a rich history within the Black community, dating back to the establishment of the Negro Leagues in 1920. These leagues not only showcased incredible talent but also pioneered innovations in the sport, from introducing night games to inventing essential equipment like batting helmets.

Yet, in 2024, we find ourselves still grappling with the question of how to increase Black participation in baseball. While Black boys may be playing the game, they need more than just a team—they need a passion team. That’s where organizations like LEAD come in.

LEAD isn’t just about teaching baseball skills; it’s about instilling a sense of purpose and empowerment in young players. It’s about guiding them from personal success to making a significant impact in their communities as members of the passion team.

Their Play Team is where they are focused on success for themselves, while their Passion Team is a commitment to significance, serving others beyond themselves. We need legions of Black American men in the Major Leagues, and that calls for legions of Black boys competing for Passion Teams at the amateur travel ball levels.

Together, we can transform the game and empower the next generation of Major League Players and Major League Citizens.

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 my early coaching days, I was hesitant to show my inexperience to parents. But over time, I realized coaching is more than just a buzzword—it’s about guiding players toward their goals, like a pilot steering a plane.

Attending coaching clinics taught me the “what” of coaching, but not the “why.” As flawed humans, our personal struggles can affect our coaching, sometimes unintentionally harming those we mentor.

To stay focused on serving, I follow the 3 C’s: Context, Content, Contest.

1. Context – Knowing why I coach fuels my passion for development.
2. Content – Sharing knowledge and skills empowers players to succeed.
3. Contest – The game tests what players have learned and how they’ve grown.

I recently asked my clients to inquire about their coaches’ goals for improvement:

• Maximizing Talent – Helping players grow while fostering team unity.
• Building Relationships – Investing in players beyond the field.
• Continuous Learning – Staying updated and adapting practices for better results.
• Elevating Practice Standards – Creating a college-level atmosphere for better preparation.
• Strengthening Coach-Player Bonds – Being approachable fosters trust and open communication.
• Fostering Academic Success – Guiding players towards educational opportunities.

As coaches, our journey of growth never ends. It’s about learning from experiences and striving for excellence 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.