Abner Powell

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Abner Powell
Pitcher
Batted: Left	Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 4, 1884 for the Washington Nationals
Final game
October 13, 1886 for the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Career statistics
Wins - Losses	8-18
ERA	4.00
Strikeouts	97
Teams
Washington Nationals (1884) Baltimore Orioles (1886) Cincinnati Red Stockings (1886)
Career highlights and awards

Abner Powell (December 15, 1860 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania - August 7, 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was a Major league baseball player who played for the Washington Nationals (UA) 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}