I’m behind the plate, but looking ahead. As I reflect, I’m happy I met someone like Eric. I have not introduced him yet, but he will be on a future Rant, 48 to be exact. For all intents, and purposes, he is one of my Baseball mentors that checked me when I first met him. He was behind the plate, I, the bases; he says, “Everything behind the bag I got, do you want to take everything after?” Yes. “Good, because I wanted to see where your heart is.”
Like a fortune cookie, it was a timely moment with a message, a message that I always have been seeking. If officiating Baseball games in NYC was akin to frequenting a Chinese Restaurant, I was waiting for the fortune cookie to show up. That fortune – was Eric.
“Good luck is when opportunity meets preparation, while bad luck is when lack of preparation meets reality.” – Elijah’s
It started months before. I was in Riverdale, BX, where I had the fortunate circumstance to run into a gentleman by the name of Frank. Frank was working a Basketball game at the same place, but different gym with a partner that I had the game before. Baseball was on our mind. His partner-that-day-but-mine-the-other said I was up and coming, and coming up for Baseball after Basketball Season.
“Success is at your fingertips; remain persistent.” – Fortune Cookie
He gave me pointed information, and the incisions from the knife were sharp. And it wasn’t a stab in the back; rather the front, just the way I like it. I was happy that I already have gotten as far as I have, but he makes me want to treat it like baskets.
He had a laundry list of things I could work on, that I wrote feverishly on my seldom-used Moleskine Reporter’s Notebook. I’m all digital now baby, but he was giving me the business in an analog world. After all, there was no indicator.
Frank told me what I needed to do. Stick around the city; do the games over there, you will work day in and day out with other college officials.
“This year, take comfort in your rituals, but be open to new experiences.”
– Fortune Cookie
And so, I met the a man that is ready to dispense the information; in line with my own lines that was able to read between. It’s understood when you have the information; dispense it freely, especially those that want to hear, to learn the lessons, to soak in mistakes from others so they don’t have to go through them themselves.
“I’m here to give out information. If you like it, take it.” – Eric Carmona
Took it I did. I knew he was different when I was on the bases, and he was in the bases. If there was any indication that this was any different than any other partner, look no further than the lack of clicker indicator.
He didn’t need a clicker he claimed. But then his claim was more than a sweep stake – he showed me the way; you can be engaged more, and you don’t look at it and fidget with it, and play with it and et cetera with it, sans an indicator.
That indicated, to me, that this was that person that I have been waiting for in December. He is the man to write my wrongs in Baseball. He’s going to allow me to be better than I thought I could go.
“Young Carter, go farther, go further, go harderIs that not why we came? And if not, then why why bother?” – Jay-Z
And when I thought I’d never see him on the field, at least for a hot minute, it was fortuitous that my partner got swapped for Eric. It was like a fortune cookie when I got the email that he was. And so, he was able to see me behind the plate.
– Work Hard, at all times.
– Plate and Bases have equal responsibility.
– Work hard on BOTH.
– If you see my back turned, that means, when behind the plate, you have the bases.
– Don’t say Foul Ball – rather, say FOUL! – Foul Ball sounds like Fair Ball.
– If coaches want an appeal, you escort the coach back to their dugout.
– Don’t think about college. Just worry about mastering your craft. You are in no rush.
“Inspiration is one thing and you can’t control it, but hard work is what keeps the ship moving. Good luck means, work hard.
Keep up the good work.” – Kevin Eubank
“Don’t rush baby
The lovin’ ain’t goin’ nowhere
Slow down”
– Mary J. Bilge
