A bat, originally a club[3], is used by Beaters to hit Bludgers in the wizarding sport of Quidditch. They protect their own players by hitting the Bludger at the opposing side.[2]
About[]
Known tactics of a Beater using a bat is to backhand a Bludger which is called "Bludger Backbeat". Another tactic is for both Beaters in a team to use their bats together for extra power when hitting a Bludger called the "Dopplebeater Defence".[4]
History[]
The earliest known form of the Beaters' bat was in the twelfth century when the players used clubs instead. Goodwin Kneen's letter was the first reference to one.[3] The clubs were later enchanted so they were stronger and more powerful but because the first Bludgers were made of rock, these powerful clubs reduced them to gravel. The pieces of gravel then hunted the players which was not ideal. By the fourteenth century, the Bludgers evolved and were made of lead instead. The clubs were changed to bats, but the Bludgers were left with indentations until lead Bludgers were changed to iron.[1]
Notes and sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Quidditch Through the Ages, Chapter Six: Changes in Quidditch Since the Fourteenth Century
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Quidditch Through the Ages, Chapter Three: The Game From Queerditch Marsh
- ↑ Quidditch Through the Ages: Quidditch Today