Photo Credit: Cricket Netherlands
On March 12, 2024, the KNCB and The Batman signed an agreement for the maintenance and repair of Cricket bats for all selection players who choose to make use of the service.
The Batman was founded in 2008 by Martin Lamaker. This company, based in The Hague, focuses on service, maintenance and repair of cricket bats and is an official dealer of Salix and Chase, which produce handmade bats in England.
In collaboration with Salix, The Batman has developed into a renowned restorer of cricket bats in both the Netherlands and other European countries. Dominic Bowen has been a partner of The Batman for about five years. Dom, together with his wife, owns a large cricket store called Kent Cricket Direct. They are based in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Dom handles sourcing for The Batman with English cricket bat makers such as Salix and Chase.
The Batman started to give Dutch cricketers the opportunity to offer their bat in the Netherlands for repairs and maintenance instead of sending it to England. Partly due to Brexit, import/ export and shipping costs were high, but due to the availability of The Batman in the Netherlands, this is no longer necessary.
The Batman has also been a sponsor of Dutch talent for years. Clayton Floyd and Sebastiaan Braat when it comes to the men, for example, but also youth players such as Thijs Vrolijk. Furthermore, various Dutch lady players such as Frederique Overdijk and Caroline de Lange.
Martin Lamaker: “Yet The Batman wants to do a bit more. That is why it offers its service to all players, junior, senior, men and women. This means that not only sponsored players but also other selection players can offer their bats to The Batman. The Batman also offers these selection players a discount on the purchase of handmade cricket bats. Moreover, the KNCB can allocate some twenty vouchers to non-selection players.”
Monica Visser, CEO KNCB: “We are very happy with the collaboration with The Batman and warmly welcome the company as our Official Bat Repair Partner. It has a great proposition of which cricketers in the Netherlands can profit, including bat repairs and attractive discounts.”
More information about The Batman can be found on the website www.thebatman.nl.
