These Yankees' bats are a MLB baseball hit. Who makes the new torpedo bat? Can you buy one?
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These Yankees' bats are a MLB baseball hit. Who makes the new torpedo bat? Can you buy one?
Torpedo bats are the explosive new trend in baseball after the New York Yankees set a franchise record Saturday, hitting nine home runs — the first four of which were back to back to back to back — for a 20-9 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The game sent shockwaves across Major League Baseball. Other MLB teams have since placed an influx of orders with Hillerich & Bradsby, the Louisville-based company that makes Louisville Slugger bats and created the torpedo bats used by Yankee players over the weekend.
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But are torpedo bats legal? And how can you get one of your own? Here's what we know.
Story continues after photo gallery.
What is a torpedo bat?
Unlike a traditional swatter, a torpedo bat has more wood at the barrel, closer toward the label. This creates a larger area at the spot where players make contact with the ball. A torpedo bat resembles something of an elongated bowling pin.
The talk of baseball: Louisville Slugger shows how the torpedo bat came to be
Who invented the torpedo bat?
Aaron Leanhardt, a former MIT physicist who worked as the Yankees' lead analyst in 2024, is credited with inventing the torpedo-style barrel. Leanhardt's idea was fashioned into reality with help from Hillerich & Bradsby. The company worked with four pro baseball teams for about 18 months to design the torpedo bat.
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Batting engineer Brian Hillerich, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, went through about five iterations of the torpedo bat before they found one just right for Yankee outfielder Cody Bellinger, who earned his first home run as a Yankee over the weekend.
Are the torpedo bats legal?
Yes, there's nothing illegal about using a torpedo bat, according to the MLB. Here's the rule:
The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood. NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from Major League Baseball of his design and methods of manufacture.
Story continues after photo gallery.
What have opponents said about the Yankees' torpedo bats?
So far, we've got this from Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill:
'I think it's terrible. We'll see what the data says. I've never seen anything like it before. I feel like it's something used in slow-pitch softball. It's genius: put the mass all in one spot. It might be bush-[league]. It might not be. But it's the Yankees, so they'll let it slide.'
Is every Yankees hitter using the torpedo bats?
Nope. Aaron Judge is sticking with his usual bat, which makes sense:
Where to buy torpedo bats
Torpedo bats are a hit and some fans might want to get their hands on one. According to the Courier-Journal, Hillerich & Bradsby are planning a limited retail edition of torpedo bats to be released before the end of April. Since the bat is a shape, it's not eligible for a patent, Brian Hillerich said.
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In the meantime, other retailers have swooped in to capitalize off baseball's newest craze. Torpedo bats are available for sale from outlets that include Marucci Sports, RPG Authentic Bats, and Victus.
How much is a torpedo bat?
They're not cheap. Torpedo bats listed in the online retailers IndyStar reviewed run in price from $169 to $225.
More about torpedo bats: Louisville Slugger shows how the torpedo bat came to be
When do the New York Yankees play next?
The Yankees (and presumably their torpedo bats) will face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern at Yankee Stadium. You can stream the game at Fubo.
Watch the New York Yankees get four homers in a row
Watch Yankees vs. Diamondbacks on Fubo
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Louisville Courier-Journal enterprise reporter Stephanie Kuzydym contributed to this article
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What are torpedo bats? Are they banned in MLB? Marucci, Victus sell them
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