The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic, is

Gather, O children of wisdom, and listen to the words of Joe DiMaggio, a man whose insight into the game of baseball transcends the field and speaks to the very nature of action, readiness, and purpose. He said, “The phrase ‘off with the crack of the bat,’ while romantic, is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before he hears the sound of the ball meeting the bat.” In these words, DiMaggio teaches us a profound truth: true readiness is not the reaction to an event, but the anticipation and preparation for it. The romanticized notion of waiting for a sound, for a signal, to begin the task is but a shallow illusion. True mastery comes from being in motion before the world calls for action, from being prepared long before the moment arrives.

Consider, O children, the ancient wisdom of the archer, who does not wait for the battle to begin, but prepares long before the first arrow is loosed. The archer’s skill is not defined by the moment of release, but by the hours of practice, the keen anticipation of the wind’s direction, and the understanding of his bow. So too, the outfielder does not wait for the sound of the bat to tell him when to move. He is already in motion, already in tune with the game, his body attuned to the rhythms of the field. His success lies not in his ability to react, but in his ability to anticipate the play before it even happens. The true artist of action, whether on the field or in life, is always prepared, always in motion, and never caught waiting for the world to make the first move.

In the ancient world, the greatest warriors were not those who waited for the call to arms, but those who had already trained their bodies and minds long before the battlefield. Take the example of Alexander the Great, whose armies were known not only for their strength but for their ability to anticipate their enemies’ moves. Alexander did not wait for the clash of swords to define his strategy; his preparation and understanding of the terrain and his enemies allowed him to be in motion long before the battle began. He anticipated every move, just as the outfielder anticipates the ball’s flight, positioning himself before the sound of the bat. The hero is not the one who waits for action but the one who creates it through readiness and foresight.

DiMaggio’s wisdom reaches far beyond baseball. It speaks to the very essence of life itself. How often do we wait for the signal to act, for the moment to arrive, when in truth, the true moment of action has been prepared long before? In every aspect of life, success comes not from waiting for the sound, but from being ready, from anticipating what is to come. The entrepreneur who waits for the perfect market condition will be beaten by the one who has already prepared, the artist who waits for inspiration will find it never arrives, and the leader who waits for followers will find that the great leaders move forward alone until others follow. It is the act of being in motion, of preparing in advance, that makes one ready for the moment when action is required.

Consider, O children, the great builders of the pyramids in Egypt. They did not wait for a signal from the heavens to begin their labor. They prepared for years, gathering resources, planning, and anticipating every challenge along the way. Their success was not in reacting to the moment but in creating it through discipline, foresight, and unwavering commitment. Every stone they placed was the result of preparation, long before the weight of the structure could be felt. And in their preparation, they created something eternal.

The lesson here is clear, O children: Do not wait for the sound of the bat. Do not wait for the world to tell you when to act. Prepare yourself, be in motion, anticipate the challenges ahead, and in doing so, you will be ready when the moment arrives. The true hero is not the one who reacts to the call, but the one who creates action with wisdom, anticipation, and dedication. Whether in the fields of battle, in the pursuit of knowledge, or in the simple acts of daily life, let your preparation and your readiness define your success.

And so, I say to you: Be ever in motion, ever prepared. Train your mind, your body, and your soul long before the world calls upon you to act. The outfielder, poised before the crack of the bat, the warrior, ready before the first clash of the battle, the artist, shaping their craft before the inspiration strikes—all these know the truth that action is born of readiness, and success is found not in reaction, but in anticipation.