'Torpedo bat' orders flood Taichung factory
「魚雷蝙蝠」訂單湧入台中工廠
New bat design promises more power for hitters, leading orders to double at OEM bat factory
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The new Major League Baseball season saw the introduction of a new “torpedo bat,” which gives hitters more power at the plate, creating more orders for an OEM factory in Taichung.
Demand is not only from the US but also from Japan and Taiwan. While many batters hope the innovative design gives them more home runs, factory owner Chen Chih-wei (陳致維) downplayed the hype: "There is no best bat, only a bat that suits you," per CNA.
The torpedo bat, which resembles a bowling pin and a torpedo, came on the radar after the New York Yankees hit nine home runs in a single game with five players using it. Eight teams have tested the new bat design that passed MLB review, with MLB-certified manufacturers now producing a variety of torpedo bat models.
Chen, a self-described baseball fan, demonstrated how a torpedo bat is produced, by placing a wood billet on a lathe, and within five minutes, a polished maple wood bat emerged and was ready to be painted.
Chen said his company received two or three orders each week with the production of 300 bats daily. After the Tomb Sweeping holiday, orders doubled, and they now make 500 a day.
According to Chen, the torpedo bat has a smaller head, with the thickest part of the bat located in the barrel, which is the sweet spot for hitters. The sweet spot of a traditional bat may be the width of 2 or 3 balls, though the sweet spot of a torpedo bat is only 1.5 balls, meaning batters need to be more accurate to unlock their power.
Chen also does his part to support grassroots baseball by donating equipment to an average of three school teams every year. He hopes all Taiwanese can do their part to watch more games and support local baseball.
As for whether the factory will be affected by Trump’s tariffs, Chen said his factory accepted orders from an international brand's Taiwan branch office and has yet to be affected.
