Abner Charles Powell (December 15, 1860 – August 7, 1953) was an American professional baseball player. Powell played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals of the Union Association in 1884. He later played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association in 1886. He also managed and owned several teams, and is best known for his innovations as a manager.
Powell was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania He died in New Orleans, aged 92.
Powell is credited with various innovations that changed baseball, though in many cases this is incorrect or overstated.
He is incorrectly credited with inventing rain checks and "ladies' day," but both of these were in use in New Orleans before Powell. Powell did improve the existing rain check system, however, by adding a perforated stub to tickets when sold so that only purchasers of tickets (and not other spectators, notably free-riders and fence-climbers) could get new tickets.
The idea of Ladies Day was to create an environment in the stands that would be free of unsavory characters and conduct, as well as to make baseball a family-oriented event; it dates at least to 1880 in New Orleans. Powell scheduled a recurring Ladies Day in 1887.
Powell is also credited with using an infield tarpaulin so that fields could be ready immediately after rain storms.
Career statistics from Baseball Reference · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
"Abner Powell". Find a Grave. Retrieved September 3, 2010.