Original; see modified release: Baseball Video Games Recalled to Replace Bats by Radica USA Ltd.

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

This is the original of a document that has been modified. To see the modified version, click here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2001
Release # 01-104

Radica Recall Hotline: (800) 803-9611
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, Radica USA Ltd. Recall Baseball Video Games to Replace Bats

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Radica USA Ltd., of Dallas, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 140,000 baseball video games to replace the bats. The bats can separate during a swing. Broken pieces can hit a bystander and cause injury.

Radica USA Ltd. has received seven reports of consumers, including children, being hit by pieces of the broken bat, resulting in a split lip, facial lacerations, a bump on the head and bruising.

Play TV Baseball is a video game that plugs directly into a television set, and simulates hitting a baseball. It contains an electronic home plate, ball and plastic bat. The user faces the television standing above the electronic home plate, which emits an infrared beam. When a simulated pitch is made on the television screen, the user swings the bat to hit the simulated ball. Electronics in the bat communicate the swing action to the home plate, and the results appear on the television screen. Writing on the home base of the game includes "RADICA:" and PLAY TV Baseball." Writing on the black bat includes "RADICA:" and "MADE IN CHINA."

Major retail stores nationwide sold this video game from June 2000 through January 2001 for about $50.

Consumers should immediately stop using the bat that was included with the game, and return the bat to the firm to receive a free replacement and postage costs. Consumers can send the bat, along with their name and address, to: Radica USA Ltd., 13628-A Beta Road, Dallas, TX 75244-4510. For more information, call Radica USA Ltd. at (800) 803-9611 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site at www.radicagames.com.