Major League Baseball's bat regulations are relatively permissive. Currently, the rules allow for a maximum barrel diameter of 2.61 inches, a maximum length of 42 inches and a smooth and round shape. The lack of restrictions allows MLB's authorized bat manufacturers to toy with bat geometry and for the results to still fall within the regulations.

Among the Yankees hitters who are using it, Anthony Volpe is a model for poor hitters who might see the torpedo bat as hope of becoming a good hitter. He's gained nearly 2 mph in average bat speed and 0.8 mph in average exit velocity.

A Yankees home run barrage turned the oddly shaped bats into an overnight sensation, and manufacturers are scrambling to keep up with demand.