Abstract: A device for handling pole vault crossbars comrises a crosshead to be manipulated by a handle and having an upwardly opening channel groove in which a crossbar is adapted to be cradled and lifted into position at a desired elevation on pole vault standards. A finger mounted on the crosshead is biased into clamping retaining engagement with the cradled crossbar and is retractable from the crossbar by means of a retractor member such as a pull cord. By moving and holding the finger in retracted position to open the channel cradle for receiving a crossbar, the crossbar can be scopped up in the channel cradle from a ground lying position to which the crossbar may have dropped when dislodged from the pole vault standards. Then by releasing the finger to clamp and retain the crossbar, the crossbar can be easily manipulated to return it to the desired elevation on the standards.