For better or worse, baseball is a game that has for the most part remained in the past. However, one equipment company is looking to help modernize the game through technology.
Last September at the Little League World Series, Easton, a developer of baseball and softball equipment revealed a brand new product called Torq. The Torq bat features a rotating handle that helps the batter achieve better contact.
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The rotating handle keeps the batter’s wrists from breaking as they swing, and that allows them to square up on the ball, or keep the barrel of the bat on the same plane as the ball and hit solid line drives as opposed to soft ground balls.
Advanced Concepts Engineer Keenan Long spoke with SportTechie, saying that he’s, “been living and breathing Torq,” since he started at Easton.
“We’ve done plenty of quality testing in our batting cages to try and solve the problem with the way the bat and player interface and how we can optimize the relationship between the hitter and the equipment.”
The Torq, which was three years in the making, is the first bat with a rotating handle to be approved for all levels from Little League to NCAA Division I play in both baseball and softball.
The first use of a Torq bat was in an SEC baseball game between the Florida Gators and Vanderbilt Commodores. Florida catcher Taylor Gushue tested the Torq prototype and had the only RBI in the game in a 1-0 Florida victory.
Easton, whose tagline is, “The science of hitting”, is also developing a power sensor app. Partnered with Blast Motion, a sensor fits over the top of any baseball or softball bat and gives real time data about swing speed, duration and other analytics in real time.
Category Manager for Baseball Bats at Easton Henry Fitzpatrick said the power sensor was the perfect tool for a baseball crazed kid.
“Today everyone is connected and wants instant feedback, and with this there’s nothing stopping you from being the best possible player.” Fitzpatrick said.
The Easton Power Sensor will be available this September for $150.00.