lack of banking around turns was damaging the welds that attached the track to supports. The overall integrity of the support structure was compromised, and Kings Island lost confidence in the ride's ability to operate safely. The following month on June 3, the park announced that The Bat would remain closed indefinitely, and it failed to operate for the remainder of the season. As a consolation to guests, Kings Island began running the south side train of The Racer backward, which was well-received and became a permanent decision – one that would last until 2008 when new owners Cedar Fair reverted it back. The Bat reopened a year after its closure on May 21, 1983. Additional modifications included the shortening of each train to six cars, an increase of horsepower on the lift hills, and further strengthening of the support structure. The number of shock absorbers on each car was also increased to six to help extend the life of each one. The coaster continued normal operation with occasional downtime but without major issues through July 1983, when it was closed briefly for repair. After operating again for a short time, it closed abruptly in early August 1983 and never reopened. Closure and demolition In March 1984, Kings Island announced that The Bat would remain closed for the upcoming season as they continued to review issues preventing consistent operation. They expressed hope that it would operate again eventually. In the meantime, the park focused on opening a new ride called King Cobra, which was the first roller coaster designed from inception as a stand-up model. Following months of review, Kings Island concluded that further modifications to The Bat would be too expensive and announced on November 6, 1984, that the ride would be removed. Demolition cost the park $70,000, and over 500 tons of steel were scrapped. The Journal-Herald published images of the ride being dismantled in April 1985. The Bat had given approximately 1.8 million rides total during its tenure over three seasons, fewer than what other coasters such as The Beast could accomplish in a single season. Despite The Bat's relatively short lifespan, Arrow continued to improve the suspended roller coaster design in future releases. The company forged ahead releasing XLR-8 at Six Flags AstroWorld and Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1984. Both roller coasters successfully operated for more than two decades. Arrow separated from