kaatsen

Kaatsen is a traditional Dutch ball game played with a curved wooden bat called a kaats and a small hard ball. The aim is to strike the ball so that the opponent cannot return it within the boundaries of the playing area. The game is typically played on a rectangular grass court, and players volley the ball back and forth across the center line or boundary, depending on regional rules.

Kaatsen is especially associated with Friesland and West Friesland. It has ancient roots in the Netherlands, with references dating back several centuries and a long history of local clubs and festivals. The exact rules and playing formats vary regionally but most versions involve two sides that rally the ball until one side fails to return it or commits a fault.

The equipment consists of a kaats, a curved wooden bat, and a leather-covered ball that is struck with the kaats to send it over the field. The sport has traditionally been played in summer on public fields, beaches, and village squares, sometimes during fairs or festivals, and several regional associations regulate competitions.

Today kaatsen remains a living tradition in parts of the Netherlands, particularly Friesland, with local clubs, regular competitions, and youth programs. While it has remained relatively small in international visibility, it is considered an important part of regional sporting culture and heritage.