Abner Powell

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Abner Powell was a Major league baseball player who played for the Washington Nationals in 1884. He later played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1886. Powell was born in Shehandoah, PA on December 15, 1860, and died on August 7, 1953. He was also the manager and owner of several teams.

Powell was more famous, however, for innovations that have changed baseball and have been in place ever since. In 1887, Powell devised the idea of using an infield tarpaulin so that fields could be used immediately after rain storms. He also introduced Ladies Day, with the first scheduled recurring game on April 29 that same year. The idea was to create an environment in the stands that was free of unsavory characters and conduct, as well as to make baseball a family oriented event. This practice is still in place today.

His most important innovation, however, was the introduction of the rain check, which added a perforated stub to tickets so that fans could attend a make up game if the scheduled game was cancelled due to rain.