Pronunciation: [bˈat ˈɪn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "bat in" corresponds to the phonetic transcription /bæt ɪn/. The first part, "bat," refers to a flying mammal and is spelled with a "b," "a," and "t." The second part, "in," refers to a location or direction and is spelled with an "i" and "n." When pronounced together, the "a" sound in "bat" blends with the "i" sound in "in" to create the /æ/ sound, resulting in the common spelling "bat in."
Bat in is a term often used in sports, particularly in cricket, and can refer to several different situations.
In cricket, "bat in" generally refers to the act of a batsman coming onto the field to begin their innings. It occurs when a team loses a wicket, and a batsman from the same team replaces the outgoing batsman in the match. When a new batsman is "batting in," they take their position at the crease, ready to face the bowler's deliveries.
"Bat in" can also be used in a broader sense to describe a batsman who has just started their innings or has recently come to the crease. For example, a commentator might say, "The batsman is still finding his rhythm since he batted in."
The term "bat in" can also be used metaphorically outside of cricket. In other contexts, it can refer to someone joining a situation or getting involved in an activity. For example, in a meeting or discussion, someone might say, "Let's invite Jane to bat in on this conversation," meaning they want to include her and hear her input.
In summary, "bat in" primarily refers to the act of a batsman coming on to the field to begin their innings in cricket. Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe someone joining a situation or participating in an activity outside of the sporting context.
The term "bat in" does not have a specific etymology as it is a phrase consisting of two separate words. However, we can look at the etymology of each word individually.
1. "Bat": The word "bat" originated from Middle English "batte" or "batt", which is derived from Old English "batt" or "bætt". It can be traced back to Old French "batte" or "battre" meaning "to beat". "Bat" has various meanings, including the flying mammal, a stick used in sports like baseball or cricket, or a verb meaning to hit or strike.
2. "In": The word "in" originated from Old English "inn", derived from Germanic languages. Its meaning has remained relatively consistent, indicating location within or inside something.
When combined, "bat in" does not possess a distinct etymology reflecting its specific meaning.
