Cedar Point: Opening dates set for renovated Castaway Bay, Sawmill Creek resorts
SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point plans to reopen two overnight resorts this spring, in an effort to increase time and boost spending at the popular amusement park. Sawmill Creek, about 7 miles east of the amusement park, will reopen a month later, on June 13. Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark declined to say how much the park had invested in the two properties. Sawmill Creek is new to the Cedar Point resort family, purchased by the amusement park in 2019 and closed later that year. Information: castawaybay.comGuests at both resorts receive several park-related perks, including early admission to Cedar Point.
mlive.comManfred joins in, MLB lockout talks appear to gain momentum
Baseball players and owners took a first step toward salvaging opening day, nearing agreement on an amateur draft lottery during lockout negotiations that included a surprise one-on-one meeting between Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark.
Cedar Point rolls back starting pay from $20 to $15 an hour
SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point, which made national headlines last year when it increased employee pay to $20 per hour, is planning to reduce starting wages to $15 an hour this year. In a news release Tuesday morning, the park said it hoped to hire 6,500 seasonal associates in 2022, with a starting pay of $15 per hour. Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark said that returning park employees would be paid $20 per hour this year. Michael Goldberg, the executive director of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University, said he was surprised Cedar Point was rolling back starting wages. For example, Starbucks and Chipotle are among those now promising starting pay of $15 an hour, and research indicates wages for lower-paid workers have been increasing faster that pay overall.
mlive.comCedar Point raises admission price to $85
SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point has increased its walk-up admission price to $85 for 2022, although most visitors won’t pay that much. A majority of Cedar Point visitors, however, are season passholders, and therefore don’t pay the daily rate, according to recent corporate earnings information. Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark said discounted tickets would not be offered at local retailers in 2022, as they have been in the past. Daily ticket prices at Cedar Point have fluctuated widely over the years, according to CP Food Blog, which tracks admissions rates. Cedar Point opens for the year on May 7.
mlive.comCedar Point offers sneak peek of hotel renovations at Sawmill Creek, Castaway Bay
If Cedar Point is on your go-to list this year, you’ll have a couple new places to consider if you’re planning to spend the night. The amusement park is in the middle of major renovations to its Sawmill Creek and Castaway Bay properties, both of which are expected to reopen this year. Sawmill CreekCedar Fair, the parent company for Cedar Point, purchased Sawmill Creek in 2019. A rendering of the rotunda gathering area at Sawmill Creek Resort, which is expected to reopen this year. The hotel, at the southern end of the Cedar Point causeway, is attached to a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, which is not being renovated.
mlive.comCedar Point’s Antique Cars ride to be replaced by new restaurant
Park spokesman Tony Clark announced Friday that Cedar Point’s Antique Cars ride in Frontier Town will be replaced with a new restaurant for the 2022 season. The family-friendly attraction, which debuted in 1969, features small-scale Model T-type cars on a twisting track. Fortunately for fans of the ride, Cadillac Cars – a very similar ride – will still be available for families to enjoy. Clark didn’t unveil the theme of the restaurant but noted that Cedar Point’s team is working on a menu, theme and name. “All of that will be revealed in the coming months,” Clark wrote.
mlive.comManfred remains optimistic on labor; pitch clock encouraging
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred exchanged a handshake with players’ union head Tony Clark on the field before the World Series opener and expressed optimism about reaching an agreement before the current deal expires Dec. 1 but did not detail any progress in talks that appear headed to a lockout.
Woman injured, hit by metal part that fell off Cedar Point roller coaster
SANDUSKY, Ohio — A guest at Cedar Point was injured Sunday afternoon after being hit by a falling part from Top Thrill Dragster, one of the park’s roller coasters. According to park spokesman Tony Clark, “At approximately 4:30 this afternoon, a small metal object became disengaged from a train on the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster as it was ending its run. The object came into contact with a female guest waiting in line for the ride. The park’s EMS team and Sandusky Fire Department responded immediately, and the guest was transported to the hospital for medical care. Top Thrill Dragster is one of the park’s most popular rides, featuring a single, 420-foot-high hill and a top speed of 120 mph.
mlive.comCedar Point announces closure of Wicked Twister roller coaster
Cedar Point plans to shutter Wicked Twister, the spiraling, twisting roller coaster that occupies a prime piece of park real estate overlooking the beach. Cedar Point Director of Communications Tony Clark on Friday announced the closure of the coaster, which will thrill its last riders on Monday, Sept. 6. Wicked Twister is one of 18 roller coasters at Cedar Point; only Six Flags Magic Mountain, near Los Angeles, has more, with 19. The closure of Wicked Twister opens up a prime spot of land toward the front of the park, adjacent to the Lake Erie beach. Cedar Point in 2018 tore down the nearby Extreme Sports Stadium (formerly the Cedar Point Aquatic Stadium), which leaves a large swath of developable land along the park’s northern border, near the Giant Wheel.
mlive.comCedar Point’s HalloWeekends to return this fall with extended hours
SANDUSKY, OHIO – Cedar Point is just about back to normal. The popular park known for big thrills announced this week that its popular HalloWeekends will return this fall. September hours will be traditional, but Cedar Point is extending its hours in October to accommodate large crowds looking to attend HalloWeekends. Clark also announced that reservations are no longer required at Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, which has a season that runs until Monday, Sept. 6. READ MORE:Cedar Point unveils plans for loaded 2021 season after COVID-19 thwarted anniversary celebrationCedar Point expects to resume regular hours by end of month as higher wages attract more employeesCedar Point unveils plans for new, interactive boat ride, ‘Snake River Expedition’
mlive.comOn Baseball: MLB work stoppage in 2022 increasingly likely
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)NEW YORK – A work stoppage at the start of spring training 2022 seems increasingly likely after baseball players refused to negotiate with owners over a one-month delay for this spring training and regular season. “I hope we don't have a work stoppage. Clark said in an email he was not more worried about a work stoppage because of the current state of relations and that player anger at club behavior did not frame the relationship. AdSince the last baseball work stoppage, the NFL had a preseason lockout in 2011, and the NBA had lockouts that cut 1998-99 to 50 games per team and 2011-12 to 66 games per team. Publicly, baseball players and owners say they have to work together.
Money disputes expected as MLB and its players union get set to enter intense talks for 2021 season
Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association Tony Clark on February 19, 2020 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Alejandra Villa Loarca | Newsday RM via Getty ImagesMajor League Baseball sees its future. The thing is, to get all this done, Manfred and owners will need approval from their long-time adversary – the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). In an interview with CNBC, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said he's "cautiously optimistic" the two sides can strike a deal on the framework of a 2021 MLB season. "We view the players as partners in our business and this season was only possible because of productive collaboration between teams and players.
cnbc.comLEADING OFF: Cards, Brews try again after virus postponement
The Cardinals will see if they can begin their series at Milwaukee after St. Louis became the latest team to get shut down by the coronavirus. The Brewers home opener was postponed Friday because two Cardinals players tested positive for COVID-19. TV Show suggestions please, tweeted Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty, who had been scheduled to start. Max Scherzer and the World Series champs wont play again until hosting the New York Mets on Tuesday. San Diegos plus-19 run differential (52 runs scored/33 allowed) is its second best through eight games in team history.
Manfred confident MLB can get through playoffs despite virus
The virus also prompted at least two more players to opt out Saturday: Brewers All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami second baseman Isan Daz. I dont think its realistic to think that were not going to have any more positive tests, Manfred said. After two St. Louis players tested positive, the whole Cardinals team was given rapids tests Friday and saliva samples were sent to an MLB laboratory. Thats why we were reluctant to get into scheduling a bunch of doubleheaders just to play more games, Manfred said. In addition, Manfred says players and coaches should take advantage of the open seats in the stands near the dugouts and bullpens in order to spread out.
6 teams idle: Manfred, union talk as MLB grapples with virus
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley, left and catcher Stephen Vogt celebrate the 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Manfred and Clark talked about what needs to be done to finish the season, a person familiar with the conversation said. So its just like every other rule that MLB has for players now its going to be enforced, so to speak. I would rather not see any more positive cases.The six idled teams Friday represented 20% of MLB. Aside from the Marlins, there were eight positive tests for the 29 other teams, only two involved major league players.
MLB doubleheaders could get shortened to 7-inning games
The players association is surveying members and may propose either two seven-inning games for a twinbill or nine innings for the opener and seven for the nightcap. Phillies general Matt Klentak said seven-inning games are possible for the twinbill. NCAA rules allow the options of two nine-inning games, a seven and a nine or two sevens. Given modern usage of pitchers, Maddon said the shortened game would be the equivalent of starting the games in the third inning. The sixth inning, the fifth inning play differently based on when the game is supposed to conclude, he said.
Here are all the rule changes, roster limits, safety measures, more in MLB’s 101-page manual
There are hundreds of changes in place for the 2020 MLB season, including adjustments to the actual playing rules, strict protocols for who can enter each room of a team facility, unique roster limits and a new schedule format.
Top 47 rule, roster and schedule changes to know before the 2020 MLB season
The 2020 Major League Baseball season will be one of the most unique in the history of the sport, with a revised schedule, massive rule changes and specific roster and transaction requirements. If youd just like the nuts and bolts version, the top 47 major changes are below. Extra inning games will begin with a runner on second base in an attempt to avoid games going deep into extra innings. In spring training only, pitchers taken out of games can re-enter at any time. In spring training only, defensive managers can end an inning before recording three outs if a pitcher has thrown at least 25 pitches.
MLB to play 60-game season -- spring training starts next week, Opening Day in late July
DETROIT Major League Baseball will officially return for a 60-game season, with players reporting to spring training next week and Opening Day in late July. The MLB Players Association announced at 8:41 p.m. Tuesday that all necessary issues have been resolved between the players and the owners to move forward with a mandated season. Here are previous stories on the contentious negotiations:The MLBPA said players will report to training camp, referring to a second spring training period. The first round spring training was cut short March 12, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shut down all major sporting leagues. According to reports from multiple MLB insiders from ESPN, MLB Network, The Athletic and other outlets, spring training will begin July 1, with Opening Day finally rolling around July 24.
MLB holds off on imposing schedule until protocols locked in
It would be MLBs shortest since the 1878 National League season. There was still one issue in the manual of protocols still unresolved, several people said. Those provisions were in the agreement the union rejected Monday but were to survive as part of the operations manual. MLB claimed that without gate-related revenue it would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game, a figure the union disputed. MLB would claim the union bargained in bad faith, and the case would be argued before arbitrator Mark Irvings.
Where MLB negotiations between players, owners stand as clock ticks to reach deal
Players counterA counter offer from the players came the following day, and it did not go over well with ownership. FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. By all accounts, the owners were outraged about the counter, believing they had reached a deal to play 60 games. If the players reject the offer, Manfred will have to mandate a shortened season, which will in turn lead to the players filing a grievance, by all accounts. Now its in the hands of the players to decide whether this deal is enough to finally start playing baseball.
AP source: Players' board rejects 60-game season by 33-5
FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The league also said several players have tested positive for COVID-19. An initial deal March 26 called for players to receive prorated salaries, but that agreement did not require MLB to play in empty ballparks. MLB offered 60 games and $1.48 billion from salaries that originally totaled $4 billion, plus a $25 million postseason players pool.
Balk in baseball coronavirus talks as negotiations drag on
FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)NEW YORK An email from baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to union head Tony Clark led to a balk in the drawn-out talks to start the pandemic-delayed season. A rise in positive tests last week in Florida caused MLB to close all 30 training camps for deep cleaning and disinfecting. Twenty-nine of the 30 teams now intend to hold training at their regular season stadiums rather than spring training sites.
MLB tells players at most 60 games; 50 or fewer possible
(AP Photo/LM Otero, File)NEW YORK The players' association was told by Major League Baseball on Friday that teams will not agree to more than 60 games in the pandemic-delayed season, leaving open the possibility of an even shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games or fewer. The union countered with a 70-game schedule as part of a proposal that left the sides about $275 million apart. MLB has informed the association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games," the union said in a statement on Friday night. That would be cut to $1.73 billion for a 70-game schedule, $1.48 billion for 60 games and $1.23 billion for 50 games roughly matching the total in MLB's initial proposal for an 82-game schedule with a sliding salary scale. In addition, MLB has offered a $25 million postseason players' pool.
Players counter with 70-game season, 10 more than MLB
FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history. Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management. Both sides would expand use of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams, and both sides would expand the playoffs to 16 teams this year.
AP Source: Manfred, Clark meet in Arizona
FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2019, file photo, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the media at the owners meeting in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)NEW YORK Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred met with players' union head Tony Clark in Arizona in an attempt to restart talks aimed at starting the pandemic-delayed season. Clark has homes in the Phoenix area and in New Jersey, and he has been in Arizona since spring training was cut short on March 12. The union cut off talks Saturday, a day after MLB's last proposal, and said additional negotiations were futile. Players told MLB to unilaterally set the schedule but Manfred said MLB would not while there was a threat of a grievance.
Yankees president Levine calls for MLB talks to resume
NEW YORK Yankees President Randy Levine called on the players' association to resume negotiations with Major League Baseball to start the pandemic-delayed season. Players insist they get the full prorated salaries called for in the March 26 agreement with MLB. Everyone here wants to get down to business as soon as possible and play games. From what Ive discovered, the holdup is not about the number of games or money at this time," Levine said. He has been and continues to be dedicated to play a 2020 season, said Levine, who was MLB's chief negotiator from 1995-97.
Baseball players say talks futile, tell MLB to order return
Continuing a contentious back-and-forth in a bitter dispute over pay, baseball players told the commissioners office on Saturday night that additional talks to start the season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are pointless and said owners should order a return to work. The unions action might lead to a season of about 50 games rather than the 82 initially proposed by MLB. The Major League Baseball Players Association could respond by filing a grievance that would be heard by arbitrator Mark Irvings, arguing players are owed hundreds of millions of dollars in damages due to a shorter season. It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile, union head Tony Clark said in a statement. And Meyer's letter to Halem cited remaining open issues in the health protocols needed before players report for a resumption of training.
AP sources: MLB players cut to 89 games, want prorated money
(AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)NEW YORK Baseball players have moved toward teams but remained far apart economically in their latest proposal for starting the pandemic-delayed season, adamant they receive full prorated salaries while offering to cut the regular season to 89. MLB has said that absent an agreement it could go ahead with a shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games. Players made their move one day after management cut its proposed schedule from 82 games to 76. But players insist on full prorated salaries as specified in the March 26 agreement between the perpetually feuding sides. A 50-game schedule with prorated salaries would total just over $1.2 billion.
MLB players reaffirm pay stance, no deal with teams in sight
FIEL - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Players Association, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. More than 100 players, including the union's executive board, held a two-hour digital meeting with officials of the Major League Baseball Players Association on Thursday, a day after their offer was rejected by Major League Baseball. Earlier this week, Major League Baseball communicated its intention to schedule a dramatically shortened 2020 season unless players negotiate salary concessions, union head Tony Clark said in a statement. Players countered Sunday with a plan for a 114-game regular season with no pay cuts beyond the prorated salaries they agreed to on March 26. In this time of unprecedented suffering at home and abroad, players want nothing more than to get back to work, Clark said.