HOLYOKE, Mass. - Family-owned Rutto Bats joining in on the big-league excitement of torpedo bats, making them in Holyoke, MA.

“This is our excitement," Kipngetich Rutto said. "This is our joy, it's very satisfying to us.”

From a block of wood to a baseball bat…

“Making from scratch to finish," Rutto said, "we have to make sure we utilize every piece of lumber we get.”

Rutto Bats controls the entire bat-making process. Kipngetich Rutto first learned woodworking in his home country.

“I'm originally from Kenya, and when I went into this industry, I felt connected to what is part of the game is," Rutto said. "I love this job. I grew up doing this kind of job, and we bought the business in 2016.”

Rutto and his wife Mindy Couture from Massachusetts began selling lumber to baseball brands until they started making bats of their own.

“We've been working hard, putting together the foundation of the production, and now we are able to supply and deliver game bats from tee ball to Major League Baseball.," Rutto saod. "Feels like we are inspired by the Field of Dreams.”

“We've been hearing voices," Mindy Couture joked. "Building it, it's been a journey, and we absolutely love the work. Being able to go from the log to the bat.”

The Rutto Bat makers quality check the entire step of the way.

“We do an ink-dot test on every bat we do. It's required by MLB bats, but we do it on every bat to make sure that we're giving out the highest quality to any level of the game," Couture said. "You want to eliminate any break if possible because it puts everybody at risk. So, once we do the verification, we can paint it and take it to the final stage.”

The bat makers produce options from the classic style to artistic souvenir bats. And now the torpedo bats, growing in popularity at the professional level for their interesting shape.

“It pumps up the sweet spot a little bit," Couture said. "It is going to especially help players that hit more towards this end towards the logo, end of the bat. If you're someone who hits at the top edge, it's probably not going to be the best fit for you. 

And now the couple hopes to continue growing their brand, one bat at a time.

“To have all this excitement from the kids, the players and everybody in baseball industry. You know, for those who even doesn't know baseball, they're getting our attention to actually pay attention to what's going on in the game," Rutto said. "And we are so happy to deliver the results with it.”