MLB's Torpedo Bats See Widespread Adoption and International Interest

Commissioner Rob Manfred endorses the bats as transformative for baseball, while Japan’s NPB considers trials of the innovative design.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has strongly endorsed torpedo bats, calling them both legal and beneficial for the sport's growth and culture.
The bats, which shift mass toward the label to optimize the sweet spot, gained attention after the Yankees’ record-setting home run performances at the start of the season.
Every MLB team has adopted the bats, with demand surging as players and teams explore their potential impact on offensive strategies.
Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) is reviewing the bats for potential trials, signaling growing international interest in the innovation.
MLB’s embrace of modernization extends beyond equipment, as Commissioner Manfred targets robot umpires for implementation by the 2026 season.