172,000 Children's "Thunderbat" Noisemaker Plastic Bats Recalled

PRODUCT: Approximately 172,000 yellow hard plastic sound- making baseball bats made by the Processed Plastic Company. The words "Thunderbat" and "Tim Mee Toy" appear on the bat's plastic covering. When swung, the soundmaker inside the bat mimics the sound of a baseball being hit. The bats were sold with a white plastic ball and distributed nationwide from December 1992 through September 1993. Only bats with yellow end caps are involved in this recall.

PROBLEM: The bat's yellow plastic end cap and noisemaker inside the end cap may detach from the bat during use and strike a bystander. The company has received 5 reports of end caps and noisemakers detaching from the bats while in use.

WHAT TO DO: Check to make sure the yellow end of the bat is stapled securely to the bat. If the end of the bat is not secured, return the bat to the place of purchase or call Processed Plastic at (800)323-6165, x223 for a replacement or full refund.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Processed Plastic Company, Montgomery, IL, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is voluntarily issuing a recall of its yellow tipped "Thunderbat" sound baseball bat, model numbers 39600, 39603, 39604, and 39606. The Company is asking that consumers check to make sure that the plastic end cap is stapled securely to the bat. If the end cap is not securely stapled, the end of the bat can separate from the bat and strike a bystander. This recall applies only to Thunderbats with yellow end caps.

The Thunderbat baseball bat mimics the cracking sound of a bat hitting a baseball when swung properly. The bat is made of yellow hard plastic, a yellow tip, and sold with a white plastic ball. The sound is produced by a noisemaker (located in the bat) that strikes against an interior wood anvil plastic shield when swung properly. The interior shield is fitted with a stapled yellow end cap.

The Company has received five reports of end caps and noisemakers detaching from the bats when the staples at the end of the bat tore loose. Separation of the end cap and noisemaker could result in the noisemaker becoming a projectile hazard and hitting a bystander.

Approximately 172,000 Thunderbats were sold nationwide from December 1992 through September 1993. The bat and attached ball sold for approximately $5.00 each.

Owners of all Thunderbats should check the bat to make sure the yellow end cap is fastened securely. If the end of the bat is not secured, consumers should return the product to the place of purchase or call Processed Plastic at (800)323-6265, x223 for a replacement or full refund.