League Bat and Trap
The game of Bat and Trap is an ancient relative of Cricket, still popular in Kent and an interesting game for schools looking for something new to try - see bottom of the page for more details. The same equipment could also be used for playing another traditional game, "Knur and Spell", that will go down well at a village fetes or school fair.
Click on the picture to enlarge.
This is a solid, robust version of this great game, made to withstand the rigours of league use. Not only is our trap practical, we believe it is also the most beautiful example of such equipment that has ever been made available.
Both the trap and the bat are hand-made by an English craftsman in Oak hardwood which is the hardest wood that we can obtain at a sensible cost. The Trap design is based on an old Kent League Trap possessed by the owner of Masters Traditional Games.
Occasionally, you will see inferior Traps for sale locally or on the Internet. Before buying an alternative, you may wish to check it against some of the following features of our own trap:
- Aluminium along total length of base to protect the main body of wood
- Wicket hinged at ground level (vital because otherwise a low ball will not topple the wicket)
- Four holes in the aluminium base to allow trap to be pegged down, if desired
- Galvanised aluminium wicket hinge
- Galvanised pivot bolt
- Freely moving wicket hinge and trap pivot
- Rubber strip across the aluminium base to absorb the impact of the wicket
- Rubber strip underneath the pivot ends to absorb the impact of the see-saw
- Wooden components all laquer finished
Dimensions are approximately: 75 x 12 x 12cm - 29½" x 4¾" x 4¾" - Weight: 8kg.
Our Bat is nominally 5.5 inches wide and conforms to all known Bat and Trap league requirements, as does our Trap.
Hand-made in Britain
Bat and Trap balls
No-one makes balls specifically for Bat and Trap and so Bat and Trappers have used various types of ball over the years including balls from other sports and pet shop dog-balls!. Masters Traditional Games recommend Lacrosse balls as the best type for Bat and Trap. These balls are designed for outdoor sport with a nice texture and do not have a significant lip at the join. They are made of hard rubber. Diameter 63mm, weight ~ 150g.
| Change to £ Change to  |
US $ | Typical ETA in wkg days |
Add to basket |
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Hand-made solid Oak Trap for Bat and Trap |
$151.55 | |||
Hand-made Iroko wood Bat for Bat and Trap |
$28.66 | |||
Hand-made Oakwood Bat for Bat and Trap |
$30.18 | |||
 | For an immediate quote & to confirm that an item will arrive before Christmas |
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| Change to £ Change to |
US $ | Typical ETA in wkg days |
Add to basket |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Pair of balls for Bat and Trap or Lacrosse |
$11.99 | |||
Set of 8 balls for Bat and Trap or Lacrosse |
$33.22 | |||
| | For an immediate quote & to confirm that an item will arrive before Christmas |
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Description of Bat and Trap
Bat and Trap is a team game with eight players on each side. The "trap" is a rectangular mechanical device that lies on the ground. The batsmen knocks a lever in the trap that shoots a hard rubber ball upwards in front of the batsmen who then smashes it with the bat towards the other side of the pitch. Normally, the ball bounces once or twice before doing this and is fielded by a member of the opposing side who stand in a line just behind and between the posts. However, in the rare case where a fielder catches the ball without it having touched the ground or the the batsman misses the target area, the batsman is out.
Once the fielder has the ball in hand, the bowling part of the game proceeds. The bowler has as a target the front part of the trap, which is a 5 inches square rectangular flap hinged at the bottom and standing vertically. A bowler from the fielding side throws or rolls the ball down the pitch at the trap target which is called a "wicket" and the batsman cannot obstruct the ball in any way. If the wicket is knocked down, the batsman is "bowled out" and the next batsman steps up. If the bowler misses, then the batsman has scored a run and carries on with the next strike.
Description of Knur and Spell
Knur and Spell is one name for a whole family of traditional games whereby players attempt to hit an object as hard as they damn well can (or otherwise swear violently when they miss!).
The Knur, a hard ball, is propelled vertically into the air by a "Spell" or "Trap", a mechanical device that is tripped when a foot or club presses a lever (like the Trap in Bat and Trap). The player then takes an almighty swing at it and the player who hits it the furthest is the winner and must buy the next round... (or perhaps wins the prize at the end of the village fete).
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The game of Bat and Trap is something of a Kent tradition and it is believed that the ancestor of Bat & Trap, which is clearly related to Cricket, was first played in the 14th century. The Beverlie Inn opened for business in the 1740's, and it has records of the game being played there since it opened.
Read lots more about ancient bat and ball games from the Online Guide to Traditional Games.