2025-04-03T18:38:32.000Z

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (AP) — This week, a 70-year-old man named Ed Costantini from Newtown Square, who plays in a senior hardball league, made his way to Victus Sports, a local bat manufacturing company, to gear up for the upcoming baseball season. Not only was he on a mission to acquire custom bats, but he was also fueled by curiosity about the latest buzz in the baseball world: the torpedo bat. This bat has been touted as a game-changer, and Ed was eager to try it out for himself, wondering if the excitement surrounding it was based on genuine performance or just hype.

Upon arrival at Victus Sports, Costantini selected the custom-designed VOLPE11-TPD Pro Reserve Maple bat and stepped into the company’s batting cage. Here, he practiced swings akin to those of Major League Baseball (MLB) stars and fellow Victus clientele like Anthony Volpe and Bryson Stott, all while tracking the trajectory of the ball on screens simulating the virtual environment of Citizens Bank Park.

For many professional players, the 'feel' of a bat is a critical criterion when selecting their equipment. Costantini, too, utilized a similar method to gauge his interest in the torpedo bat. Initially skeptical about the bat's acclaim, which had soared over the weekend, he believed it might be a gimmick. However, after taking numerous swings and noticing better balance and a more pronounced sound when connecting with the ball, he decided to purchase four torpedo bats on the spot, each priced at $150. "The litmus test that I used was, I could see where the marks of the ball were," Costantini remarked. "The swings were hitting the thickness of the torpedo as opposed to the end of the bat."

The torpedo bat's distinct design—where the wood is shifted lower down the barrel, resembling a bowling pin shape—has captivated not just MLB All-Stars but also players at all levels of the game. Costantini's purchase is indicative of a burgeoning interest in this newly popularized piece of equipment, illustrating the design's ability to draw in fans and players alike.

When one thinks of home runs in baseball, images of towering blasts often come to mind, along with the captivating narratives that accompany record-breaking seasons. However, the traditional wooden bat had been somewhat overlooked—until recent events sparked a renewed interest. Last Saturday, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees hit back-to-back home runs, initiating an impressive nine-homer performance. This event caught the attention of Victus Sports, whose employees were present at the game. They began a text thread back home, hinting at something more than just home runs catching fire.

As the buzz surrounding the torpedo-shaped bat grew, it led to excitement from players seeking any legal advantage they could gain, prompting inquiries not only at Victus but also from other bat manufacturers. The surge in interest from both professional and recreational players indicates a turning point in baseball bat trends.

Victus Sports, founded with the goal of shaping the future of baseball over the past 14 years, could not have anticipated that the future would take the form of a bat resembling a bowling pin. Jared Smith, co-founder of Victus, expressed his surprise: "It was the most talked about thing about bats that we ever experienced." While not the only company producing torpedo bats, Victus was among the first to put them up for sale online following the Yankees' explosive performance.

Within 24 hours, the torpedo bat had taken the league by storm. Victus experienced a sudden influx of orders, from both major leaguers and local players, demonstrating a rapid escalation in the demand for this unique style of bat. "The amount of steam that it’s caught, this quickly, that’s certainly surprising," Smith noted, elaborating that the Yankees’ home run record was a significant catalyst for this surge.

This season, Victus has been designated as the official bat supplier for Major League Baseball, a recognition that had already positioned them well in the market. Big names like Phillies slugger Bryce Harper have helped elevate the brand's profile, showcasing their bats in highlight reels. However, prior to the Yankees’ recent home run frenzy, interest in the torpedo bat had been relatively low. Introduced last spring, only a handful of these bats were crafted for players, with production numbers anticipated to jump significantly this season. "This week alone, try hundreds of torpedoes," said Smith, noting the company’s production capacity had exploded due to the increased interest.

Victus typically manufactures between 600 and 700 bats daily, but the influx of orders has pushed their production capabilities into overdrive. Generally, crafting a bat involves a two-day process; however, with the current demands, some can be created in as little as 20 minutes without a finish. Victus even rushed bats to Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies, ensuring that the team had new equipment right in time for the game.

The torpedo bat isn’t a completely new concept in the realm of baseball. Some players, including Giancarlo Stanton and Francisco Lindor, experimented with this design in the previous season, but it didn’t garner much attention until now. Smith noted that only a handful of dedicated baseball enthusiasts had inquired about the bats prior to the recent buzz. "I think it’s just one of those things that until you’re looking for it, you might not see it," he explained.

Further back, Aaron Leanhardt, a former Yankees staff member who now holds a position with the Miami Marlins, was instrumental in developing the torpedo barrel design, which aims to enhance the bat's sweet spot. A member of Victus’ parent company Marucci Sports collaborated with Leanhardt to refine the bat's design, ultimately leading to its introduction to major leaguers.

Before the recent surge, Victus had not planned to mass-produce the torpedo bat, keeping it exclusively for professionals. Now, Smith expressed the company's commitment to educating the public about this innovative product, noting that despite its unconventional shape, it maintains the same dynamics as any standard baseball bat, with costs starting around $200.

Victus was founded in a garage in Blackwood, New Jersey, in 2012 by Smith and Ryan Engroff. Over the past decade, the company has seen remarkable growth, largely thanks to their eye-catching bat designs. The talented in-house artist, Bruce Tatum, affectionately known as “The Bat King,” has created vibrant designs like the No. 2 pencil and crayon bats, which have garnered significant attention during events like the Little League Classic. Victus has transformed into a vibrant hub for baseball bat artistry—an art gallery of sorts, showcasing colorful bats adorned with unique graphics.

Despite the excitement surrounding the torpedo bat, not every player is convinced of its effectiveness. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who set an American League record with 62 home runs in 2022, expressed reluctance to try a new bat, questioning the need to change what has proven successful for him. Similarly, Phillies All-Star shortstop Trea Turner acknowledged that while the hype might seem exaggerated, he remained open to experimenting with the torpedo bat.

In contrast, Arizona pitcher Zac Gallen likened the surge in interest for the torpedo bat to previous baseball trends, finding it surprising that it took this long for such a simple concept to gain traction. Regardless, the torpedo bat is here to stay, and its popularity continues to soar, leaving many to wonder how it will impact the future of hitting in the sport.

“For bats to be the hot topic out in the zeitgeist is cool,” Smith concluded, highlighting how this moment presents an opportunity for Victus to shine. The company is not only navigating a trend but also defining a new chapter in the world of baseball equipment.