Years ago, an acquaintance was telling me he was no good at swinging a hammer. Now, he was quite the athlete, and I asked him "what's the difference between swinging a hammer and swinging a baseball bat?"
"I have no idea," he said.
Suddenly, I realized-- "No crowds cheering whenever you swing a hammer." Adulation, money, fame, women. that's what we think of when we think sports. Whether it's gladiators hacking each other to death for the amusement of crowds, jousting archery, or other medieval pastimes, down to the insane profits pro sports attract, sport has always involved status politics. Being better at something, even if not richer, or better connected, attracts the attention of fellow sportsmen and has always opened doors.
So does swinging hammers- but one man can't build a house in a day.There's no point to having a hammer-marathon those days, what with hammer guns. Craft is the integration of so many elements, in stages, over long periods of time, often with the help of many others specialized in their own crafts. Therefore, the result in general IS what attracts attention, not the performance (Unless you're an Home Improvement buff.) For nails do have a purpose; they hold thousands of things together-- from your nighstand or bed to large houses. Screws, washers, pegs, bolts, welding-- all are variations on the same purpose.
Writing is-- somewhere in between. Nails have to pound at a keyboard. Words have to weld together. Not all writing will succeed or be publishable, despite the popular image of a successful writer being a best-selling author. Sometimes your words will just hold together family memories, recipes. Technical manuals written in actual English. Medical information. Grants for nonprofits. There are many ways to use that hammer, big or small.
As for baseball bats, they have two major purposes, and one could land you in jail for assault.