Cocky Little Thing

Inspired by my son. He had just graduated Chapman High school and has played baseball for many years. He just had his senior season with the Panthers as catcher. The players now, on many teams, get to chose their “walk-up” song. He chose the song, Rooster by Alice in Chains, for his final season behind the plate. It became a thing, as they advanced through the season and many playoff levels, him BEING the Rooster. A little cocky. But certain in himself. Ready for anything. The lyrics a tribute to his energy and mindset on the diamond, until the final moments of their season. As the other team’s winning run was scored right beside him, him helpless to stop it, he fell to his knees. Season over. I feel in this piece not just the strength my son embodied all season, but the other side that I hadn’t recognized while watching him play, until that moment. The underlying uncertainty during every play. The shame in every split second mistake that was made. The realized fear trotting right past him to home plate. Cocky. And the weight of it all crashing into him.  He wasn’t ready for THIS.