The New York Yankees made headlines this weekend as they unveiled a new bat during their latest matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. This introduction coincided with an impressive showing, where the team tied a franchise record by hitting nine home runs, culminating in a remarkable 20-9 victory.

The Yankees wasted no time showcasing their power, launching three home runs in succession off the first three pitches of the game. This explosive start was spearheaded by players Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, and Cody Bellinger, all of whom contributed to an early lead before the first inning concluded with a fourth home run from Austin Wells—marking the first time the Yankees have achieved four homers in a single inning.

“What a performance,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone remarked postgame, describing the match as “kind of a weird, crazy game.”

Commentary during the game by play-by-play announcer Mark Kay highlighted that some players were utilizing the newly designed bats. Two of these players successfully hit home runs, spurring discussions about the potential impact of these bats on the game.

What Makes the Bats Unique?

The innovative bats have drawn interest due to their unique design, crafted by Aaron Leanhardt—a former physicist turned baseball coach. Leanhardt, who has been associated with the Yankees for over six years, moved from the position of assistant hitting coach to an analytical role and currently works with the Miami Marlins.

Former infielder Kevin Smith detailed the bat’s design, known as the “torpedo” barrel, which aims to enhance the contact area for hitters. This bat features a thicker and wider barrel compared to traditional baseball bats, intended to increase the likelihood of solid contact and minimize mishits.

While some players opted for the new bats, others used standard models, igniting inquiries regarding the legitimacy of the new design in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Are the New Bats MLB Approved?

MLB regulations mandate that all bat designs must be approved before usage in games, as outlined in Rule 3.02, which prohibits “experimental” bats unless they have received explicit approval from the league. According to these regulations, bats must be a single piece of wood, not exceeding 42 inches in length or 2.61 inches in diameter.

Official confirmation from MLB representatives indicated that the Yankees’ new bats meet all existing league standards. Furthermore, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged that discussions around the new bat had taken place during spring training, stating, “The internet has a beautiful way of bringing things to be a big deal. I hadn’t paid a ton of attention to it really until today.”

Historical Context of Bat Innovations in MLB

This is not the first time a revolutionary bat has entered the MLB scene. Historically, baseball bats made from white ash were prevalent until Joe Carter famously utilized a maple bat in the 1990s. This switch gained momentum, especially after Barry Bonds recorded an unprecedented 73 home runs in a season using a maple bat, although controversies around performance-enhancing drugs overshadowed that achievement.

The Yankees themselves have faced scrutiny related to bat regulations in the past; an infamous incident in 1983 involved Royal’s player George Brett, whose home runs were nullified due to excessive pine tar on his bat. The contentious nature of that ruling eventually led to amendments in the bat-related regulations.