This is supposed to be a darkfic? Darkfics tend to involve a great deal of suffering and/or death.

Strike three! Grab some pine, meat! The saying references the pine tar on player's bats. It's a common misconception to associate the saying with benches made of pine.

Once endured it is enjoyed as my owndom. Elsewhere I refer to this process of enduring hardship as the only possible source of hardihood.

Chatterer flirted his tale in the saucy way he has, and his eyes twinkled.