ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION NEWS

State Conservation Director Tony Dean announced plans to build a new $10 million state fish hatchery which will be one of the most technologically-advanced facilities of its kind in the world when it is completed in 1979. The new hatchery will be built on a 160 acre site presently owned by the Department of Conservation about 10 miles each of Morton along the Mackinaw River in Tazewell County. It will provide our fish stocking program with more than 26 million young fish annually, enough to meet the projected demands of Illinois fishermen through the year 2000.

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IAPD POLICE SEMINAR SUCCESSFUL

RICHARD ELROD

The annual Police Seminar, of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, was held at the McCormick Inn, Chicago, on Saturday, September 13, 1975, and was attended by over 100 park police and commissioners.

Sheriff Richard J. Elrod, Cook County, was the luncheon speaker and gave a very informative address on the need for better communication between our police departments, including park districts. He offered to cooperate with any park district in providing the Cook County training facilities and would assist in arranging such a program.

Robert A. Stuart, General Counsel, reviewed recent legal opinions, decisions and recent legislation affecting park police.

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POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH CERTAIN ALUMINUM SOFTBALL BATS WITH RUBBER GRIPS

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 manufacturers, 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."

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.

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In August the Sterling Park District dedicated the new Lawrence Park Pool Complex. In attendance at the ceremony were left to right: William E. Eberley, President of Sterling Park District, State Representative Joseph Ebbesen, Dedicatory Speaker Eugene Berghoff, State Senator David Shapiro, State Representative Calvin Shuneman, and State Representative Richard Mautino.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 29 November/December, 1975