Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred recently discussed the emergence and increasing popularity of the so-called torpedo bat, a uniquely shaped bat that creates a buzz amid a modest rise in home runs in the league this season.

In an interview with The New York Times, Manfred stated,

“They’re absolutely good for baseball. I believe that issues like the torpedo bat demonstrate how baseball holds a distinctive position in our culture; it evokes intense debate around something that’s ultimately inconsequential. The bats meet regulatory standards, and players have long been tinkering with their equipment. This reflects the bigger significance of the game beyond mere statistics or monetary gains.”

If you want to read further insights from the New York Times, you can find it here.

The introduction of torpedo bats, utilized during spring training, caught attention after the New York Yankees hit nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers recently, sparking discussions on their efficacy and regulation.

The architect behind the torpedo bat is Aaron Leanhardt, a former Yankees staff member who now coaches for the Miami Marlins. He engineered the bat to focus weight where hitters typically make contact, suggesting an optimization of performance over conventional bats.

Future regulations regarding these bats remain uncertain, but Manfred doesn’t seem eager to ban them at this point.