Yankees’ Torpedo Bats: A Blast from the past?
New York Yankees’ new “torpedo” style bats, now making waves in Major League baseball, may have roots dating back nearly two decades. Former Capitales slugger Eddie Lantigua recalls using similar bats in 2006.
B45 Baseball’s Production Manager Recalls the Design
Olivier Lépine, the production manager at B45 Baseball, notes that when the Yankees approached them last year to manufacture the now-popular bat, the design was already familiar. Lantigua,his teammate at the time,brought a bat with the same unique shape to the Capitales’ locker room.
Flashback: The 2006 Season
In 2006, Eddie Lantigua introduced a bat with a distinctive “torpedo” shape, raising questions about the origins of the Yankees’ modern design.
A ‘Prototype’ from Years Ago
Lantigua’s use of the bat in 2006 suggests that design innovations in baseball can sometimes have unexpected and long-forgotten beginnings.
Minor League Slugger’s Experiment with ‘Torpedo’ Bat Revealed
A former minor league baseball player experimented with a unique “torpedo” style bat, a design reminiscent of modern bats but with less advanced technology, during a portion of his season. The bat, prone to breakage, was a prototype crafted by a friend.
The ‘Torpedo’ Bat: A Short-lived Experiment
The player, considered one of the most formidable power hitters in North American independent baseball at the time, had a friend in New York, Matt McDonald, who designed bats as a hobby.
“It wasn’t really a company. he did it with a machine at home,and we sold them to people we knew and a few college teams,” the player stated.
New York Yankees’ Paul Goldschmidt is among Major League players using a “torpedo” style bat.
The Untold Story: Baseball’s “Knobbed” Bat Prototype Emerges Decades Before MLB adoption
A prototype of the now-popular “knobbed” baseball bat was tested in a minor league setting nearly two decades before gaining traction in Major League baseball. Retired baseball player Eddie Lantigua revealed he experimented with a uniquely designed bat in the early 2000s,offering a new dimension to bat control and power.
Early Adoption: Lantigua’s Experience with the Prototype
Lantigua, playing for the Capitales at the time, tested about ten bats featuring the “knobbed” design for a month. The design, resembling a keel, aimed to improve contact. Lantigua recalls hitting several home runs with the prototype, noting, “At the time, I was hitting a lot of home runs.”
Why the Experiment Ended
Lantigua discontinued using the bat because he felt the design was best suited for players who hit the ball lower on the barrel. “Yes, it gives better balance and hits hard, but it doesn’t work for everyone. I think it didn’t work well for me because I really hit the ball in the barrel,” Lantigua explained.
From Prototype to MLB: A Missed Opportunity?
While Lantigua’s early experiment didn’t lead to immediate widespread adoption,the “knobbed” bat concept eventually found its place in MLB. The design offers players enhanced grip and control, especially for those who naturally make contact lower on the bat. Lantigua’s story highlights an intriguing instance of innovation predating its mainstream acceptance in the world of baseball.
Yankees’ bat Craze: Former Capitales Player Claims He Pioneered ‘Torpedo’ Bats
A former Quebec Capitales player says he and a friend first conceptualized and experimented with ”torpedo” style bats, now gaining popularity in Major League Baseball, but lacked the resources to mass produce them.
Lantigua’s Home Run Legacy With the Capitales
Eddie Lantigua,who hit 126 home runs for the Capitales between 1999 and 2009,reflected on the early efforts to create perfectly balanced bats. Lantigua noted that technology at that time didn’t allow for the manufacturing of bats as well-balanced and precisely constructed as today’s “torpedoes.”
Yankees’ Bat Technology Sparks Nostalgia
The recent attention on the New York Yankees’ use of “torpedo” bats prompted Lantigua to think back to the bats made by his friend years ago.”I think we were the first to try this and at the time we thought about marketing them, but we didn’t have the money or the equipment to be able to produce bats in quantity. If we had known that it would catch on like this, we would have found a way to do it,” Lantigua said.
Future Swings With Modern Gear
Lantigua intends on taking some swings this summer using new B45 “torpedo” bats.
Here are two PAA (Purpose, Audience, and Author) related questions for the provided article content:
Yankees’ Torpedo Bats: A Blast from the past?
New York Yankees’ new “torpedo” style bats, now making waves in Major League baseball, may have roots dating back nearly two decades. Former Capitales slugger Eddie Lantigua recalls using similar bats in 2006.
B45 Baseball’s Production Manager Recalls the Design
Olivier Lépine, the production manager at B45 Baseball, notes that when the Yankees approached them last year to manufacture the now-popular bat, the design was already familiar. lantigua,his teammate at the time,brought a bat with the same unique shape to the Capitales’ locker room.
Flashback: The 2006 Season
In 2006, Eddie Lantigua introduced a bat with a distinctive “torpedo” shape, raising questions about the origins of the Yankees’ modern design.
A ‘Prototype’ from Years ago
Lantigua’s use of the bat in 2006 suggests that design innovations in baseball can sometimes have unexpected and long-forgotten beginnings.
Minor League Slugger’s Experiment with ‘Torpedo’ Bat Revealed
A former minor league baseball player experimented with a unique “torpedo” style bat, a design reminiscent of modern bats but with less advanced technology, during a portion of his season. The bat,prone to breakage,was a prototype crafted by a friend.
The ‘Torpedo’ bat: A Short-lived experiment
The player, considered one of the most formidable power hitters in North American independent baseball at the time, had a friend in new York, Matt McDonald, who designed bats as a hobby.
“It wasn’t really a company. he did it with a machine at home,and we sold them to people we knew and a few college teams,” the player stated.
New York Yankees’ Paul Goldschmidt is among Major League players using a “torpedo” style bat.
The Untold Story: Baseball’s ”Knobbed” Bat Prototype Emerges Decades Before MLB adoption
A prototype of the now-popular “knobbed” baseball bat was tested in a minor league setting nearly two decades before gaining traction in Major League baseball. Retired baseball player Eddie Lantigua revealed he experimented with a uniquely designed bat in the early 2000s,offering a new dimension to bat control and power.
Early Adoption: Lantigua’s Experience with the Prototype
Lantigua, playing for the Capitales at the time, tested about ten bats featuring the “knobbed” design for a month. The design, resembling a keel, aimed to improve contact. Lantigua recalls hitting several home runs with the prototype, noting, “at the time, I was hitting a lot of home runs.”
Why the Experiment Ended
Lantigua discontinued using the bat because he felt the design was best suited for players who hit the ball lower on the barrel. “Yes, it gives better balance and hits hard, but it doesn’t work for everyone. I think it didn’t work well for me as I really hit the ball in the barrel,” lantigua explained.
From Prototype to MLB: A Missed Opportunity?
While Lantigua’s early experiment didn’t lead to immediate widespread adoption,the “knobbed” bat concept eventually found its place in MLB. The design offers players enhanced grip and control,especially for those who naturally make contact lower on the bat. Lantigua’s story highlights an intriguing instance of innovation predating its mainstream acceptance in the world of baseball.
Yankees’ bat Craze: Former Capitales Player Claims He Pioneered ‘Torpedo’ Bats
A former Quebec Capitales player says he and a friend first conceptualized and experimented with ”torpedo” style bats, now gaining popularity in Major League Baseball, but lacked the resources to mass produce them.
Lantigua’s Home run Legacy with the Capitales
Eddie Lantigua,who hit 126 home runs for the Capitales between 1999 and 2009,reflected on the early efforts to create perfectly balanced bats. Lantigua noted that technology at that time didn’t allow for the manufacturing of bats as well-balanced and precisely constructed as today’s “torpedoes.”
Yankees’ Bat Technology Sparks Nostalgia
The recent attention on the New York Yankees’ use of “torpedo” bats prompted Lantigua to think back to the bats made by his friend years ago.”I think we were the first to try this and at the time we thought about marketing them, but we didn’t have the money or the equipment to be able to produce bats in quantity. If we had known that it woudl catch on like this, we would have found a way to do it,” Lantigua said.
Future swings With Modern Gear
Lantigua intends on taking some swings this summer using new B45 “torpedo” bats.
Q&A: Unveiling the Secrets of the ”Torpedo” Bat
What exactly is a “torpedo” bat?
A “torpedo” bat is characterized by its unique shape: a barrel that tapers significantly, resembling a torpedo. this design aims to improve bat speed, balance, and potentially, power by concentrating the mass towards the sweet spot.
Who was the first to use the “torpedo” bat?
While the New York Yankees are currently popularizing the design, the article highlights that former Quebec Capitales player Eddie Lantigua used a similar bat as early as 2006. There’s also mention of a prototype in the early 2000s used by another minor league player.
What are the supposed benefits of the “torpedo” bat design?
The primary benefits are believed to be increased bat speed due to the reduced barrel size and improved balance, potentially leading to more solid contact and power. Though, the effectiveness can vary depending on a player’s hitting style.
Why didn’t the “torpedo” bat catch on earlier?
The technology to accurately manufacture these bats in large quantities and with consistent quality wasn’t readily available. Additionally, the lack of resources to market the bats played a significant role.
Where can I get a “torpedo” bat?
B45 baseball is one of the companies manufacturing the “torpedo” style bats. You can often find them at sporting goods stores or online retailers specializing in baseball equipment.
Is the “knobbed” bat related?
Yes, the article mentions a “knobbed” bat prototype that was also used in the early 2000s. The knobbed design aims to improve grip and control, especially for hitters who make contact lower on the bat. Both “torpedo” and “knobbed” designs highlight that baseball innovation frequently enough involves a series of experiments and refinements.
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