squares circles contain
rectangles precision in
counterpoint passion
In his book about baseball, Take Time for Paradise, Bart Giamatti or A. Bartlett Giamatti as he was known when he was Commissioner of Major League Baseball (also known as the father of actor Paul Giamatti), wrote:
How to characterize the structural principles grounding this game?
Squares containing circles containing rectangles; precision in counterpoint with passion; order compressing energy.
The potentially universal square, whose two sides are foul (actually fair) lines, partially contains the circle, whose radius is at least four hundred feet and whose perimeter is the circle of the fence from foul line to foul line, which contains the circle of the outer infield grass, which contains the square of the diamond, containing the circle of the pitcher’s mound and squares of the three bases.
The circle of the mound contains the rectangle of the pitcher’s slab and faces the circle of the home-plate area, which contains the rectangles of the batter’s boxes and the area for umpire and catcher.
At the center of this circle, and existing in eternal tension with the pitcher’s rectangle — seemingly the center of such power, of so many dimensions — is the source of the macro dimensions, the point of reference for all the medium and the larger geometric shapes, the only shape on the field that does not figure the eternal and universal outlines and meanings of square and circle.
We are at home plate, the center of all the universes, the omphalos, the navel of the world. It, too, plays around fours and threes, but altered, a shape unique.
It is my birthday today.
66 years old.
How to characterize the structural principles grounding life?
You might have it all figured out.
You might have it a plan all diagramed out of squares containing circles containing rectangles; precision in counterpoint with passion; order compressing energy.
Like the game of baseball, everything can be laid out.
Then the game starts.
You have this potentially universal square but onto it are 9 different players placed to make a mess of your plan.
Add to that 4 other people who are standing around waiting to decide what you do and what happens to is legal.
You stand at the plate.
You hold a bat.
And that person out standing on the circle of the mound that contains the rectangle of the pitcher’s slab and faces the circle of the home-plate area, throws a ball at you.
That bat you are holding is round.
The ball thrown at you is round.
And you try to hit it square.
As that sign on the wall in the back of the bar in the TV show Cheers said, This is a Square House. Please report any un-fairness to the proprietor.
I am here to tell you that after 66 years at the plate, holding that bat, taking my swings, there is nothing fair about any of it.
You stand at the plate and all you want to do is get home and everyone and everything is set up to stop, slow down, harass or change you plans to get their.
Squares containing circles containing rectangles; precision in counterpoint with passion; order compressing energy.
Squares containing circles containing rectangles.
Precision in counterpoint with passion.
Order compressing energy.
You buys your ticket, you goes up to bat, you takes your chance.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
Year after year.
In the back of our mind someone is telling you …
It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
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