A baton (often called a wand) is a long, thin, stick shaped piece of hardware used to open and close drapery panels.  Most of us have used batons to open or close draperies in a hotel room.  Batons can be made from wood, acrylic, or metal and are clipped to the lead carrier on the drapery rod.  The baton helps you open and close the draperies without yanking and keeps dirty hands off the fabric.