Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc., of St. Louis, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 45,000 slow-pitch softball bats. The tops of the bats can shear off during use, posing an injury hazard to batters and bystanders.

The bats subject to this recall are Rawlings slow-pitch aluminum softball bats with model numbers SBZ2, SBZ3, SBZ4, SBB3, SBB4, SBB5, SBB6, SBB7, SPT-PK2, and DUAL-E. "Rawlings" and the model numbers can be found on the barrel of each bat. The bats are adult sized, and come in various colors. Major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart, and sporting goods stores nationwide sold the bats from September 1997 through May 1999 for between $40 and $200.

Consumers should stop using the recalled bats immediately and call Rawlings at (800) 367-3455 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday for instructions on returning the bats for a refund. Consumers also can write to Rawlings at P.O. Box 22000, St. Louis, Mo., 63126.

Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc.
1859 Intertech Drive
Fenton, MO 63026
TEL: 314-349-3500
www.rawlings.com