noun

An implement with a handle and a solid surface, usually of wood, used for hitting the ball in games such as baseball, cricket, and table tennis.

Well, it turns out nobody officially tests balls hit by aluminum bats under game conditions.

truncheon,club,cudgel,bludgeon,stick,bat,mace

verb

(of a team or a player in sports such as baseball) take in turns the role of hitting rather than fielding.

Ruth came to bat in the fifth inning