He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hunslet, Hull F.C., Wakefield Trinity, and Castleford, as a , or . He is noted as one of the greatest of his era, one of the game's first superstars, Batten was a brilliant athlete and a huge crowd-puller – and also well aware of his own worth.
He participated at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hunslet, Hull F.C., Wakefield Trinity, and Castleford, as a  or . He is recognized as one of the greatest of his era, one of the game's first superstars, Batten was an exceptional athlete and a massive crowd-attraction – and also well aware of his own value.