Mastermind of torpedo batThe mastermind behind the design is Aaron Leanheardt, a former Massachusetts Institute of Technology physicist turned coach for the Miami Marlins. Leanheardt, who introduced the new bat to the Yankees last season before joining Miami,

Now back to the torpedo bat. It's designed so that the wider part of the bat IS the sweet spot. Since it’s wider, it's easier to hit the ball. Since that part is the sweet spot, it gives the ball a higher speed. Higher speed means the ball will travel farther. Adios pelota!

The torpedo bats are safely within MLB rules, which dictate only that bats must be “solid wood, round, shorter than 42 inches, and no wider than 2.61 inches,” according to Baseball Prospectus.