four paragraphs on skinned knees

COML 596 Free Writing assignment

I used to play softball when I lived in Washington, DC. I looked forward to softball season every year, mostly because our team played many of its games on the National Mall. Being at the center of such an iconic part of American history was thrilling. Playing in the wilting heat and humidity was not as thrilling. Being young, we packed beers in inconspicuous ice chests to beat the heat.
 
I was often the pitcher on my softball team. It wasn’t my favorite position, but I wasn’t bad at it, so they let me play. I was often intimidated when the big, strong men came up to bat. I was always worried that one of the brutes would hit the ball right at me, and I would take a “come-backer” on my leg or, worse, my face. One time a batted ball actually did hit me right on my shin. It was tremendously painful. But I stayed in the game, mostly because I wanted my teammates to be impressed with my toughness.
 
I wasn’t much of a hitter, but I enjoyed hitting the ball as hard as I could. I could usually rope the ball over the second-baseman’s head and into the outfield for a hit. I liked being on base because I wanted to score and help the team win. But that meant that sometimes I would be required to “take one for the team” and slide into second or third base. In the moment I didn’t think about the condition of the playing field, but after sliding I quickly observed the rocky dirt and dry grass surrounding the base. I usually advanced bases safely, but it was a pyrrhic victory.
 
Seemingly once a year I would slide into a base and stand up with a tremendously skinned knee. Sometimes the wound was deep; other times it was just a scrape. But it was always huge and always right at or below my right knee. And it always HURT. Being the tough guy I thought I was, I would shake it off and continue playing. But that night or the next day I would regret my decision to slide. Being called out would have hurt a lot less. Skinned knees came with the territory, and I came to expect to get at least one a year. That’s what happens when you give 110 percent.