A 70-year-old senior league player recently walked into Victus Sports in Pennsylvania to pick up some bats for the new season. What he didn’t expect was to be captivated by baseball’s latest sensation—the torpedo bat. Designed with a distinctive shape, this bat has taken the baseball world by storm, and even seasoned players like Ed Costantini couldn’t resist giving it a try.

Costantini, who had been skeptical of the bat’s hype, tested the torpedo-style VOLPE11-TPD Pro Reserve Maple inside Victus’ batting cage. After dozens of swings, he was convinced. The bat’s balance and the crisp sound of the ball off the barrel were undeniable. He immediately placed an order for four custom torpedo bats at $150 each. “The swings were hitting the thickness of the torpedo, rather than the end of the bat,” Costantini explained, illustrating why the design has captured the attention of so many.

The torpedo bat’s unique design—where the wood is shifted lower down the barrel, resembling a bowling pin—has drawn players from all levels, not just the pros. While the bat may seem like a novelty, its impact has been undeniable. After Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger’s back-to-back home runs for the Yankees last weekend, Victus saw their phones light up with orders from both big leaguers and recreational players eager to get their hands on one.

“It was the most talked-about thing about bats that we’ve ever experienced,” said Jared Smith, Victus co-founder. The bat, which had been mostly under the radar, exploded into popularity after the Yankees’ home-run spree, stoking curiosity and prompting even more players to inquire about the new design.

Victus, a company that has steadily grown over the past 14 years, was already established as a key player in the baseball bat industry. Their sleek, high-quality designs and custom-made bats, often seen in the hands of stars like Bryce Harper, had already earned them a loyal following. However, it wasn’t until the torpedo bat entered the spotlight that business really began to boom.

Before the Yankees’ game, Victus had produced only a handful of torpedo bats, initially created for the Yankees during spring training in 2024. Now, the company is turning out hundreds each week as demand skyrockets. “Every two minutes, another one comes out of the machine,” Smith shared, reflecting on how quickly production has ramped up.

Though it may seem like the torpedo bat is a brand-new concept, it’s actually been in use for a year or two, with players like Giancarlo Stanton and Francisco Lindor experimenting with it behind the scenes. However, the design didn’t catch fire until recently. Aaron Leanhardt, a former Yankees front-office staffer, is credited with developing the torpedo barrel, which brings more mass to a bat’s sweet spot, providing a unique feel and performance boost for hitters.

Despite its somewhat unconventional shape, the torpedo bat complies with Major League Baseball’s rules and costs about the same as a standard bat—around $200. The bat’s newfound fame has turned it into the most-talked-about piece of equipment in the sport.

The bat’s popularity isn’t just limited to Major League Baseball. Players from all levels, from All-Stars to recreational league players, are eager to try it out. In just a few days, Victus has seen orders flooding in, with players like Alec Bohm of the Phillies even using it in a game. However, not everyone is convinced the bat is the game-changer it’s made out to be.

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ slugger who set the AL record for home runs in 2022, isn’t eager to try something new. “Why try to change something?” he said, sticking to his familiar bat. Trea Turner of the Phillies also downplayed the hype, though he admitted he’d be open to trying the torpedo himself.

On the flip side, pitchers like Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks are taking note of the bat’s simple yet revolutionary design. “For it to take this long is wild,” Gallen remarked, acknowledging the bat’s potential.

Victus’ journey began in 2012 when Smith and co-founder Ryan Engroff started crafting bats in a garage in Blackwood, New Jersey. Their company quickly became known for its unique, artistic bat designs, such as the crayon-colored bats used in the Little League Classic. Now, with the torpedo bat taking the baseball world by storm, Victus is more popular than ever.

“We’ve outgrown our space,” Smith said, reflecting on how the company has expanded. Victus now employs over 300 people, and with the viral success of the torpedo bat, they’re gearing up for even more growth. Their goal? To educate the public about this new, exciting design and to continue providing top-quality equipment to players at every level.

As the torpedo bat continues to make waves in the baseball world, there’s no doubt it’s here to stay. Whether it becomes the next big trend or remains a niche innovation, one thing is certain: Victus has struck gold with this viral sensation.

Source: AP News – Demand for viral ‘torpedo’ baseball bats has sent a Pennsylvania factory into overdrive

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A Modern Solution for NHL Executives

The NHL has introduced a new front office iPad app designed to modernize how teams manage roster, contract, and salary cap information. Developed in partnership with SAP, this app provides general managers and league executives with instant access to critical data, streamlining operations and enhancing decision-making processes. The app has been in use by GMs since late December and was officially announced on Thursday.

Bringing Convenience to Team Management

Before this innovation, team executives had to rely on bulky booklets containing essential contract details, salary cap status, and player movement restrictions. Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere emphasized the app’s practicality, saying:

“Instead of traveling with a booklet that looks like a magazine or a Bible, having everything in one place on an iPad will alleviate the burden. It makes it easier and simpler to check statuses, rosters, and transactions.”

The app follows the NHL’s 2016 move to introduce iPads for coaches and players on the bench, ensuring a seamless digital experience across multiple aspects of the league.

Key Features of the SAP-NHL Front Office App

The app is divided into three core sections:

1. League View: Provides a high-level overview of all teams’ current and projected offseason salary cap situations. It also includes alerts for daily transactions with custom filters, a player watchlist, and a draft grid detailing future draft picks, including conditions and trade histories.
2. Team View: Displays contract information for all players within an organization, covering the current season and the next eight years.
3. Player View: Offers detailed player profiles, including biographical data, contract details, transaction history, game logs, and official contract PDFs.

Impact on NHL Operations

NHL Chief Operating Officer Stephen McArdle highlighted the app’s role in advancing the league’s digital transformation:

“We’ve done groundbreaking work on the coaching side and statistical data for fans. Now, this app becomes the third pillar, providing critical roster information.”

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell praised the app’s ability to provide quick access to key contract clauses, such as no-trade and no-move clauses. He expressed optimism about future improvements:

“With any new app, it’s only going to get better. The features available now are already highly useful for all teams.”

Enhancing Trade and Free Agency Decisions

The app’s development was driven by the increasing need for efficiency in handling player transactions, contract management, and cap calculations. SAP’s Vice President of Global Sponsorships, Dan Fleetwood, suggested that this tool could help facilitate more trades and player movement:

“We hope it powers more trades and allows teams to manage their rosters more effectively.”

A Private Tool for NHL Teams

The app is exclusively for NHL front offices, with no plans to make a public version available. This follows the Washington Capitals’ decision to buy and shut down CapFriendly, a popular salary cap tracking website. While platforms like PuckPedia and CapWages now serve fans, the NHL app remains a proprietary tool for internal team use.

McArdle confirmed that the focus remains on supporting teams:

“Right now, we are dedicated to serving front offices. There’s so much information in this app that it’s most appropriate for team executives. A public version is not in our current plans.”

As the NHL continues embracing technology, this new app is expected to become an essential tool for teams navigating trades, contracts, and salary cap management, helping to shape the league’s future transactions and strategies.

Source: AP News – NHL launches a front office iPad app to modernize roster, contract and salary cap info for teams

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China has long been the powerhouse of table tennis, dominating the sport for decades. However, Europe, with Germany leading the charge, is making strides to challenge the status quo. This shift not only aims to disrupt China’s dominance but also to elevate table tennis as a truly global sport.

A Sport Rooted in Chinese Excellence

“Historically, table tennis has been an Asian-dominated sport, largely due to China’s enduring excellence and its deep cultural connection to the game,” said Steve Dainton, CEO of World Table Tennis, in an interview with DW.

China’s love for table tennis began in 1959, when Rong Guotuan clinched the world championship title in Dortmund, Germany, becoming a national hero. By 1961, China hosted the world championships, cementing its place in the sport’s history.

Since table tennis debuted at the Olympics in 1988, China has amassed more medals than the rest of the world combined. The country’s sweep of gold, silver, and bronze in both men’s and women’s events at the 2008 Beijing Games prompted a rule change, limiting nations to two competitors per event.

“China’s dominance stems from a deeply ingrained culture and infrastructure surrounding the sport, along with systematic training programs and a talent pipeline starting at a young age,” added Dainton.

Learning from the Best

China’s current dominance is epitomized by Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, the world’s top-ranked male and female players. Their precision, discipline, and mastery set a high standard for aspiring players worldwide.

“China has always set the bar in table tennis, particularly in their training intensity and focus on perfecting every detail,” said Egyptian player Omar Assar, ranked 20th globally. Competing from Germany, Assar views each match against Chinese players as an opportunity for growth.

Although Assar faced defeat against Wang and Sun in the mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, Europe found hope when Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh defeated Wang in the men’s singles event.

Building a Competitive Future

European players recognize the need to emulate China’s youth development strategies to foster talent. Sofia Polcanova, a Moldovan-born Austrian player and European champion, emphasizes the importance of early exposure to international competition.

“Making table tennis accessible in schools and public spaces, as China has done, is just the start. Europe must focus more on nurturing young players to compete on the global stage,” Polcanova told DW.

Technology has also become a key tool for development. Players like Germany’s Patrick Franziska, ranked 12th globally, point to the vast array of online training resources available to today’s generation.

“With access to match footage and training strategies on platforms like YouTube, young players can learn and improve faster,” Franziska said. “This accessibility is driving more talent into the sport, strengthening European table tennis.”

More Competition, More Fans

While China’s population of 1.4 billion provides a vast talent pool, increasing global competition could further popularize the sport.

“When athletes from diverse regions succeed internationally, it resonates with fans and builds the sport’s profile globally,” Dainton explained.

A prime example came in October when over 40,000 fans attended a tournament in Montpellier, France. Local hero Félix Lebrun captured the title, defeating top Chinese players and energizing European fans.

Germany has long been Europe’s most successful table tennis nation, with Franziska and others inspired by German legend Timo Boll.

“Boll was seen as China’s main rival, which created an exciting dynamic for fans,” Franziska noted. “Watching European players challenge the best and win medals has fueled the sport’s growth here.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

With talents like Lebrun, Franziska, and Polcanova leading the charge, Europe is poised to challenge China’s table tennis hegemony. By focusing on youth development, leveraging technology, and cultivating international competition, European players aim to inspire the next generation and elevate the sport to new heights.

Source

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