Bat

A bat is a round or square board, commonly wood, plastic, or plaster, that locks onto the wheel head with pins or a clamping system before throwing begins. Rather than lifting a soft, freshly thrown pot directly off the metal wheel head with a wire and two hands, a risky move that easily distorts a delicate rim or wall, the potter simply lifts the entire bat away, pot and all, and sets it aside to firm up undisturbed.

Bats matter most for larger, wider, or more delicate forms where any handling right off the wheel would warp the piece, and they let a potter keep throwing new pieces on a second bat while the first is drying elsewhere rather than waiting for each one to firm up on the wheel before starting the next. Bats also make centering large slabs of clay for platters or trimming odd shaped forms considerably easier, since the piece can be repositioned or flipped as a unit.

When buying bats, check that the pin or clamp system matches the specific wheel, since bat attachment standards are not universal across brands, and consider having several on hand so multiple pieces can dry at once without tying up the wheel itself. Plaster bats have the added benefit of drawing some moisture out of the clay through the bottom, which is useful for slightly firming up a wet piece faster, though they need more careful handling than wood or plastic since they chip and absorb stains more easily.