Bat & TrapBat & Trap

Kieran MurraySevenoaks & District Bat & Trap League (November 2014)

HistoryHistory Earliest records date back to the 14th century in a monastery in

Canterbury; Forerunner to cricket; Revived at the end of the 1914-18 war as it was seen as healthy therapy

for the limbless ex-servicemen unable to play cricket; First recorded “International” was played between the French and

British troops on the eve of the advance at Passchendaele in August 1917 with no players surviving the battle;

The popularity of mainstream sports such as Football, Rugby & Cricket caused a decline , however, it remained popular in a handful of public houses in Kent;

In 1951, it became the 1st sports organisation to require its member clubs to have floodlights (4 years before our national football authorities);

Predominantly played in Kent with a number of league’s still in existence;

Site of the monastery Site of the monastery where early records of where early records of

Bat & TrapBat & Trapwere foundwere found

now occupied byThe Old Beverlie Pub

(Canterbury)

Then………Then………

………………and nowand now

The BatThe Bat

The TrapThe Trap

The BallThe Ball

Nothing special

A 2½” solid rubber ball (i.e. a lacrosse ball)

The PitchThe Pitch

The RulesThe Rules Teams comprise of either 6 or 8 players on each side

dependent upon the specific League; Each team member bats and bowls in order; Batter commence s innings by directing the ball

between the two white posts at the end of the pitch, however, is deemed out if the ball doesn’t bounce at least once before going through the posts or if the Batter misses the ball;

Bowler bowls the ball under arm towards the trap and the Batter is deemed out if the Bowler hits the trap else the Batter gains 1 “run” and the process continues;

Matches are made up of the best of three legs;

Annual Activities Annual Activities One Day Event ; Finals Day; Presentation Dinner & Dance; Kent Challenge Cup (Sevenoaks & District League

Winner v Canterbury & District League Winner); World Cup;

Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths & WeaknessesStrengths: Non-energetic sport that can be enjoyed by all genders

with no age discrimination; Well structured in terms of League Management within

Kent; Close unity between existing Leagues; Social activity that can bring the local community

together;Weaknesses: Mainly played by the older fraternity and needs to gain an

influx of youth to maintain its momentum;   Generally played in Beer Gardens that, unfortunately, are

currently prone to closure; Regular alteration of Landlords breeds irregular interest in

the sport;

Our Common Goal ……. Our Common Goal ……. Enjoyment whilst retaining Enjoyment whilst retaining

tradition within the tradition within the Community!Community!

Hawaiian Day on 2nd January at minus 5 degrees !!

Bob the Builder Day

www.batandtrap.org.uk