The AB Extra: June 5

This week's AB Extra features a mishap at the French Open, information on how to get a one-of-a-kind urinal autographed by Barry Sanders, and a unique park that opens in Chicago this weekend. 

Updated Fitness Suits for Navy Members
By 2016, members of the United States Navy can expect new fitness suits to be issued in their sea bags. The new warmups are modeled after the same suit worn by the Marines, however the Navy's version comes in its colors, blue and gold.

The fitness suits will be issued at Recruit Training Command and fleet sailors will buy theirs from the Navy Exchange Uniform Center. It is anticipated that sailors will be able to wear pieces of the fitness suit with civilian clothing. 

Approximately 170,000 soldiers gave input on the suit and it features half elastic leg bottoms, underarm vents and a drawstring that replaces the elastic waistband. Female sizing will be available. 

The total cost for the suits is expected to be about $100. 

French Open Fans Hit by Piece of Scoreboard
Roland Garros officials are probably rethinking the decision not to update the facility after fans were hit by a piece of metal covered with spikes from the scoreboard that was blown into the stands.

According to witnesses, the metal hit and cut a man's arm and injured two other fans. The man was able to walk out of the facility with assistance, and the other two fans who sustained minor injuries were escorted to infirmary at Roland Garros. 

I'm told by fans that there was a "lot of blood." & that a man who went to cover his head was hit in arm. "It's a bad injury," a woman says

— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) June 2, 2015

Spikes were installed on the pieces of metal that surround the scoreboard in order to prevent birds from sitting on its top. 

Play was halted for about 20 minutes as emergency officials responded to the incident and two sections of the stands were cleared. 

Officials believe that high winds were at fault for the piece coming loose from the scoreboard. 

Watch video of the incident below.

The incident pic.twitter.com/p7NQHP8joI

— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) June 2, 2015

Now You Can Get an Autographed Barry Sanders Urinal!
Barry Sanders fans can now get an autographed urinal that was previously in the Pontiac Silverdome where Sanders played for the Detroit Lions from 1989-1998 if they are the highest bidder on Ebay.

According to the urinal's seller, he came upon the item after winning a bid for the contents of the home team's locker room in the Silverdome. The winner's haul included "2 urinals, 2 sinks, 3 showers, toilet ([he] didn't take the toilets), 2 stall partitions in bathroom & shower area."   

Sanders had previously stated he would not sign urinals after the Pontiac Silverdome and RJM Auctions announced the asset auction. But this Sanders fan wanted to test his luck and brought the urinal to a Sanders signing event. The fan asserts that he bleached and power washed the item several times.

Despite some initial joking reluctance, Sanders appeased the fan and signed the urinal, as well as took some pictures with it. 

If you are interested in acquiring a Barry Sanders-signed urinal, click here to go to the Ebay auction. The auction ends on June 11th, so enter those bids!

Former Elevated Railway in Chicago Becomes Park in the Sky 
Chicago is celebrating the opening of a new public park and trail system this weekend. The project is called The 606, an homage to Chicago's ZIP code prefix and is built on the former route of the Bloomingdale Line railway track, with the highlight of The 606 being a 2.7 mile elevated recreation and culture trail. 

The 606 is similar in design to New York's High Line, the Sydney Goods Line, and the Miami Underline, but what distinguishes it from these other projects is its integration with community destinations. The 606 connects four neighborhoods in the city, as well as six neighborhood parks. 

The goal of The 606 is for it to function as an alternative transportation corridor for Chicago workers, as well as a new green space for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Visitors can also expect to see art installations and event spaces throughout the trail.  

Check out the news you might have missed from previous weeks in the AB Extra:
May 29
May 22
May 15