If you’ve been following any of the opening games of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, you might be shocked at the run production. How’s 20-9 for a score, or 15 home runs by one team in three games — both feats achieved by the New York Yankees, who else?
Now, I am a fan, but as I was watching baseball news, they kept making reference to the use of the torpedo bat, which begged the question, “What the heck is that?” So I turned to my AI friend Gemini for an explanation. Poor thing, Gemini is so out of date that it labeled the torpedo bat “a relic of tshe past.” Hardeharhar. Tell that to the Yankee batters, or other users of the torpedo bat throughout the game.
Here’s Gemini for you:
The torpedo bat — a fascinating and often maligned piece of equipment in modern baseball. For the uninitiated, a torpedo bat is essentially a hybrid between a traditional wood bat and a modern, lightweight aluminum or composite bat.
First introduced in the late 1990s, torpedo bats aimed to provide a middle ground for players seeking more power than traditional wood bats offered but without the weight and lack of performance associated with early aluminum bats.
In terms of design, a torpedo bat typically features a cylindrical barrel made from a lightweight material, such as a high-strength aluminum alloy or a composite material (often a carbon fiber or Kevlar-based compound). The bat’s barrel is then tapered and narrowed at the handle, forming a distinct, streamlined shape that resembles a torpedo or a knife, hence the name.
The primary advantage of the torpedo bat was its ability to offer a balance between the power and performance of aluminum bats and the traditional feel of wood bats. They were often used in specific leagues or situations where a higher level of power was desired but not available from traditional equipment.
However, the use of torpedo bats was ultimately limited due to a combination of factors. Many players and coaches found the bats’ feel and balance to be less desirable than traditional wood or aluminum bats, and there were concerns about the bats’ durability and longevity. Additionally, some critics argued that the torpedo bat’s design might violate certain rules or regulations governing bat construction in various baseball leagues.
Today, torpedo bats are largely a relic of the past, having largely fallen out of favor and use in professional and amateur baseball. Nevertheless, they remain an interesting footnote in the evolution of baseball equipment, representing an attempt to innovate and meet the demands of players seeking an edge in performance.