The trend of using torpedo bats in baseball has gained popularity this season, and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has voiced his approval of the buzz surrounding them. In an interview published by The New York Times, Manfred expressed his belief that torpedo bats are beneficial for the sport, stating, “They’re absolutely good for baseball,” and noting how the discussions around them highlight the unique position baseball holds in our culture, as fans engage passionately over seemingly trivial matters.
During the Q&A, Manfred also commended the testing of robot umpires during spring training and expressed his desire to see their implementation in the regular season soon. He mentioned, “I hope that we bring it to the big leagues in short order,” clarifying that it might not happen until 2026.
The recent attention on torpedo bats escalated when the New York Yankees set a team record by hitting nine home runs in a single game. With players gravitating towards this distinct bat design that features wood shifted lower down the barrel, resembling a bowling pin shape, torpedo bats have emerged as the latest trend in baseball. The unique appearance has attracted interest from All-Star athletes to amateur players, driving up orders for Victus Sports, the official bat supplier of MLB.
Manfred pointed out that players like Giancarlo Stanton and Francisco Lindor had been using torpedo bats last season, underscoring that the bat has been in use for a few years now. Despite its unconventional shape, which resembles pushing meat down a sausage casing, the manufacturing process and cost remain consistent with standard bats, priced at around $200. The only difference lies in the marketing pitch: Get your hands on the most talked-about bat in the game.
Discussing the versatility of bat design over the years, Manfred emphasized that the sport of baseball transcends mere metrics like TV ratings or revenue, as it incites vibrant discussions and debates among fans and players alike.
