The secret behind elite wooden bats is not just craftsmanship—it’s patience, obsession, and a willingness to learn the hard way. John Vullo of Vullo Bat Company shares how a backyard hobby became an MLB-certified bat business trusted by pros, including the Chicago Cubs, and why the torpedo bat conversation has put his shop right in the middle of baseball’s latest evolution. Inside the Foul hosts Chris and Ethan dig into John’s full journey—from watching his dad build a local softball community in Newport, Washington, to coaching his son, to realizing he needed a new way to stay connected to the game. That search led to a lathe, a dust collector, and a first bat he still keeps as a reminder of where it all began. You’ll discover how John taught himself the craft through pure trial and error, why tracking every billet, model, and ounce by hand has become part of his process, and how he built custom models like the VC 815 by turning performance into a numbering system that actually means something. He also breaks down the subtle differences that separate a 271 from a 116, what makes a torpedo bat work, and why the billet you choose at the very beginning can determine everything that follows. John also opens up about what changed when the company moved from hobby to full-time operation, how his wife Lori joined the business and helped scale production, and what it really takes to keep a two-person company personal while meeting pro-level demand. Despite MLB licensing, audits, and growing attention, he stays committed to one thing above all: making a bat that feels right in a hitter’s hands. This episode goes beyond bat specs and shop talk. It’s about family, legacy, and the emotional weight of building something with your name on it. If you love baseball, craftsmanship, or the kind of story where passion slowly becomes a life’s work, this one is essential listening. John Vullo is the founder of Vullo Bat Company, an MLB-certified wooden bat maker based in Newport, Washington. What began as a hobby grew into a family-run operation producing game bats, training bats, and custom models for professional players and organizations. Perfect for baseball fans, coaches, players, and anyone who loves stories about turning a lifelong obsession into a craft that matters. Turn this into a graphic with this logo make look professional and clean