Bati Cobra

Reporter & Facilitator: Wilfredo Jr. P.
Bernal
Year & Section: BPEd 2A
Bati-Cobra
Shatong is a native Cebuano game. Although no one can say when it exactly started. The game
was so popular in the 70s and 80s that kids in the neighboring rural and suburban areas quickly
adapted it. And, sooner than expected, shatong’s popularity traveled as far as Mindanao and
Luzon regions. Since then, the name shatong takes on other name variations like syatong,
chato/chatong, shatung, or pitiw. In the Visayan island of Siquijor, kids call it pirigtiw. To play
this game, two bits of bamboo sticks (one long, one short) are required. The long one fills in as
the bat and the short one fills in as the ball. Furthermore, a little ground hole is required that
makes a permanent base.
The Shatong Mechanics
 Space. The players locate a wide outdoor space to play. Preferably, the area is on a solid
earth as they need to dig a little furrow in the dirt.
 Number of players. At least four players are needed to play shatong. But, it’s merrier
when there are more participants in the game. These players split to form two teams.
One team plays the ‘hitters’ and the other serves as the ‘fetchers’.
 Tools. Two pieces of stick. One stick needs to be longer at about 24 inches in length, and
the other is shorter at about 6 inches. The long stick serves as a ‘bat’, and the shorter
one is the ‘hit’.
 Furrow. All participants decide on where to dig a shallow furrow on the ground. It’s on
this furrow where the shorter stick or ‘hit’ is launched.
How Shatong is Played
The two teams now decide on the initial ‘hitters’ by playing a jack-en-poy (rock-paper-scissors)
game. Whoever wins becomes the initial hitters. They take their stand behind the furrow or at
the base. While the fetchers position themselves a few meters opposite the base. The hitters’
first player now proceeds to start the first level of the game.
First Level
 The hitter places the short stick or ‘hit’ across the furrow. Then, he launches it off into
the air as hard as he can. He must see to it that the ‘hit’ lands on the farthest distance.
The hitter makes sure that no fetcher catches the stick.
 When the hitter is successful in his launch, a fetcher is obliged to retrieve the short stick
from where it landed. The hitter now rests the longer stick or ‘bat’ right before the
furrow and waits for the fetcher to throw the short stick back to the base.
 However, if the hitter is unsuccessful in his launch and a fetcher catches the stick in mid-
air, his team loses its turn to play hitters. They now must take the role of fetchers.
 On the other hand, the fetcher’s aim is to hit the long stick with the short one. When he
succeeds in hitting the long stick, his team now takes the role of hitters. But, if he fails to
hit it, the hitter proceeds to the Second Level.
Second Level
 The hitter suspends the short stick in the air and drops it. But, while the stick is in mid-
air, he must move quickly and strike it as hard as he can. He makes sure that the short
stick lands on the farthest distance. At the same time, he hopes no fetcher catches it.
But, in case the opponent catches the short stick, the hitter’s team loses its turn to play.
The two teams must now exchange positions.
 However, if the stick is not intercepted, the fetcher throws it back to the hitter. But, this
time, the hitter aims to strike the stick back as hard and as far as he can manage.
 When the hitter succeeds in striking back the stick, his team now earns points.
 The hitters earn their score by measuring the distance between the drop point of the
short stick and the furrow. They use the long stick as the measuring rod.
 Finally, the hitter proceeds to the Third Level.
 But, if the hitter fails to strike back, his teammate takes his turn to play. The second
player begins with First Level.
Third Level
 The hitter positions the short stick at a 45-degree angle against the furrow. He makes
sure that a good part of the stick protrudes enough for an easy hit.
 Once ready, he hits hard the protruding part of the short stick to launch it into the air.
And while in mid-air, he strikes it quickly to the farthest distance, making sure no
fetcher catches it.
 The hitter is given only 3 attempts to launch the ‘hit’. If he fails, his teammate takes the
turn to play, starting from the First Level.
 If the hitter succeeds in his launch, they count their score once more. The count starts
from the drop point of the ‘hit’ to the base. They add the score in this Level to what they
got at the Second Level.
 But, if the hitter fails to strike, or an opponent catches the ‘hit’, the hitter’s team loses a
turn.
 If a hitter succeeds in all levels without the ‘hit’ intercepted, he turns over the game to
his teammates. The succeeding player repeats the process until everyone gets a turn to
play the bat and hit.
What the Players Learn in This Game
Shatong is originally a children’s game. But, adults or the young at heart play it, too. After all,
it’s a fun game for everyone to enjoy.
Nevertheless, shatong is not merely a pastime. It helps kids develop the value of taking turns
and teamwork. And, since shatong involves counting, young children learn or hone their
mathematical skills.
Tips in Playing Shatong
 Practice your batting skills to make sure the ‘hit’ lands far from the base.
 Make a strategy to prevent the fetcher from intercepting the ‘hit’.
 But, be careful to avoid the ‘hit’ landing on your head or other parts of the body.
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Reporter & Facilitator: Wilfredo Jr. P.

The Shatong Mechanics

How Shatong is Played

What the Players Learn in This Game

Tips in Playing Shatong

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