Torpedo bats are thinner at the top with more wood closer to the batter’s hands. The Yankees debuted these new bats in their opening weekend and hit 15 home runs.
PORTLAND, Maine — A small Maine business helped create the now-viral “torpedo bats” that powered the Yankees to a 15-home run weekend—and local players are eager to give them a swing.
“I’m watching the game over the weekend and I’m like, ‘No way, those are the bats that we created,'” Jesse LaCasse, co-owner of Maine Billets in Anson, said.
Two years ago, the Yankees reached out to Maine Billets, a business that makes baseball bats, with designs for a new kind of bat—one shaped more like a bowling pin. LaCasse and his team crafted multiple prototypes and dozens of bats to be tested.
Now, the torpedo bats are taking Major League Baseball by storm.
“As a bat maker for 20 years, it’s extremely exciting,” LaCasse said. “I mean I was ecstatic to see the bats, to see the shape, and obviously all the home runs.”
The torpedo bats are customized for each player, shifting more wood toward the batter’s hands and bringing the thickest part of the barrel to the “sweet spot” where they make the most contact.
“I think it’s gonna help out drastically with hitters,” LaCasse said.
And it’s not just major league teams paying attention. Here in Maine, the Portland Sea Dogs are ready to give torpedo bats a try.
“We decided to put in an order and just see what happens, you know, see how they feel and seeing some of the big-league squads use them and stuff is pretty cool to see, so we’ll see how it goes,” Sea Dogs infielder Blaze Jordan said.
Some members of the team said they’re still a bit skeptical but intrigued.
“If my hitters are gonna hit more home runs behind me, I’ll take it,” Sea Dogs pitcher Connelly Early said.
The buzz has boosted business for Maine Billets. LaCasse said they’ve already sold more than 250 torpedo-style bats in the past few days.
“Everyone in the world I feel like, that plays baseball, needs to try a torpedo bat,” he said.
The Sea Dogs didn’t say exactly when their torpedo bats will arrive, but if you head to a game, keep an eye out. The team kicks off its season Friday night in Pennsylvania. They return to Hadlock Field for their first home game on Tuesday.
