Batter facts for kids

The word batter has several different meanings, depending on the situation. It can refer to a mix used in cooking, a player in sports like baseball or cricket, or even a part of a drum. Let's explore some of these different uses of the word.

Batter in Cooking

In cooking, batter is a wet mix of ingredients. It's often made from flour, water or milk, and eggs. Sometimes, it also includes a leavening agent like baking powder. This makes the batter light and fluffy when cooked.

What is Batter Used For?

Batter is used to make many delicious foods.

• Pancakes and Waffles: These breakfast favorites are made by pouring batter onto a hot griddle or waffle iron.
• Cakes and Muffins: Many cakes and muffins start with a batter. It's usually thicker than pancake batter.
• Fried Foods: Foods like fish, chicken, or vegetables are often dipped in a thin batter before being deep-fried. This gives them a crispy coating.

Batter in Sports

In sports like baseball and cricket, a batter is a player whose job is to hit the ball.

Baseball Batter

In baseball, the batter is the player who stands at home plate. Their goal is to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher. If they hit the ball, they try to run around the bases to score points. Batters use a special stick called a bat to hit the ball.

Cricket Batter

In cricket, the player who hits the ball is often called a batsman. However, they are sometimes also called a batter. Their job is to hit the ball bowled by the bowler and score runs. They use a flat bat to hit the ball.

Other Meanings of Batter

The word "batter" can also describe other things, like a part of a drum or a type of slope.

Batter Head on a Drum

On a snare drum or other drums, the batter head is the top part of the drum. This is the part that a drummer hits with their drumsticks to make a sound. It's usually made of a special plastic material.

Batter as a Slope

In building or geology, a batter can mean a slope. It describes how a wall or a structure leans back as it goes up. This slanting shape can make structures more stable. You might see this in old castle walls or some types of dams.