Yes, BATES is a Scrabble word!

Letter values in Scrabble US: B 3, A 1, T 1, E 1, S 1.

Is it a valid word?

BATES is a valid word in the official Scrabble dictionary (US), the UK Scrabble Dictionary and Words with Friends (ENABLE).

moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments
strike with, or as if with a baseball bat
wink briefly
have a turn at bat
use a bat
beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight