Aluminum baseball and softball bats with rubber grips
CPSC Recall #75-053 - July 24, 1975
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 75-053 |
| Recall Date | July 24, 1975 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | More than five million |
| Manufacturer | he Commission has identified one of the grip manufacturer, Eaton Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio and seven bat manufacturers and distributors who used these grips: Alcoa Sport Products Company, Santa Fe Springs, California: Easton Aluminum Company, Van Nuys, California: Hillerich & Bradsby, Louisville, Kentucky: Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Virginia: Wilson Sporting Goods Company, River Grove, Illinois; Lannom Manufacturing Company, Tullahoma, Tennessee: and Airlite Aluminum Corporation, Kearny, New Jersey. |
Where It Was Sold
| The bats have been sold under the various manufacturers' names with the name "Hitter's Pride" being imprinted on the knob of many of the rubber grips. |
Product
Aluminum baseball and softball bats with rubber grips
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25) -- More than five million aluminum baseball and softball bats with rubber grips sold nationally since 1968 could pose serious risks of injury if the rubber grips are loose, worn, damaged or deteriorated. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is issuing this warning in the interest of the public health and safety, urges consumers to check the rubber grips on their aluminum bats immediately and to cease use of those bats with loose, torn or deteriorated grips. If the grip is loose, worn or damaged, the aluminum bat could fly out of the grip or fly away from a torn off knob when the bat is swung. The one-piece rubber grip sleeve and solid rubber knob are all that hold the bat in place. Two major injuries and one death reportedly have occurred when aluminum bats have detached from the grips during a swing and have been propelled through the air. The Commission has identified one of the grip manufacturer, Eaton Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio and seven bat manufacturers and distributors who used these grips: Alcoa Sport Products Company, Santa Fe Springs, California: Easton Aluminum Company, Van Nuys, California: Hillerich & Bradsby, Louisville, Kentucky: Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Virginia: Wilson Sporting Goods Company, River Grove, Illinois; Lannom Manufacturing Company, Tullahoma, Tennessee: and Airlite Aluminum Corporation, Kearny, New Jersey. The bats have been sold under the various manufacturers' names with the name "Hitter's Pride" being imprinted on the knob of many of the rubber grips. The grips are black, one-piece molded rubber sleeves and knobs. Some of the trade names used are "Easton," "Adirondack," "Wilson," "H & B/Louisville Slugger," "Reynolds," and "Worth." The Commission is continuing to determine if other grip and bat manufacturers' products pose a serious risk of injury to consumers. Airlite Aluminum Corporation, Belgrove Drive and Passaic Avenue, Kearny, New Jersey, has voluntarily agreed to repair free of charge any Airlite "Hitter's Pride" bat sent to them by consumers.
Hazard
If the grip is loose, worn or damaged, the aluminum bat could fly out of the grip or fly away from a torn off knob when the bat is swung.
Incidents & Injuries
Two major injuries and one death reportedly have occurred when aluminum bats have detached from the grips during a swing and have been propelled through the air.
Remedy Instructions
Airlite Aluminum Corporation, Belgrove Drive and Passaic Avenue, Kearny, New Jersey, has voluntarily agreed to repair free of charge any Airlite "Hitter's Pride" bat sent to them by consumers.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.