 While with the Lynn Red Sox, Don Newcombe, future Most Valuable Player in the National League, recalled Batts as being a "redneck from the South," and Batts thought it was funny to follow the old racist custom of rubbing a Negro's head for good luck.During 1947, Batts played for two Boston affiliates; the Scranton Red Sox of the Class A Eastern League, and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Class AAA International League.He only appeared in 8 games with Scranton, losing playing time to another catcher, before transferring to Toronto when their catcher was injured.