Torpedo bats drew attention over the weekend when the New York Yankees hit a team-record nine homers in one game.

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!

Long before baseball was abuzz with talk of “Torpedo” bats, Cardinals standout Brendan Donovan traveled to the Tennessee factory of his batmakers and designed lumber with relocated and larger sweet spots.

From Moneyball to analytics to torpedo bats, MLB teams are desperate for an edge and will look for one in every nook and cranny.

The newest innovation in baseball, the bat has a seemingly inflated barrel that is thickest and heaviest where the player most frequently makes contact.

ARLINGTON - Joc Pederson became the first Ranger to deploy a torpedo bat. Result: Initial failure to launch. Pederson, a self-described bat lover, got a few bats on Friday from the Sam Bat and Tucci companies, gave them a whirl in batting practice and took it into the game against Tampa Bay.

There have been two companies that have filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Importer Michael Hauptman's Just Happy LLC filed for three trademarks, desiring to put "Torpedo Bat" and or "Torpedo Barrel Bat" on bats and "Torpedo Bat" on clothing and apparel, including apparel, baseball gloves, bat bags and glove bags.

MINNEAPOLIS — Zach Dezenzo was rehabbing an injury at the Houston Astros’ minor-league facility in Florida last season when he first beheld a bat that he still thinks “looks weird.” Its barrel bulged and tapered into a skinner end. Its shape resembled that of a bowling pin.