Ladies' Day (baseball)

Ladies' Day, also referred to as Ladies' Night if held during night games, was a baseball promotional event in Major League Baseball aimed at women baseball fans from early to mid 20th century. It was a common fixture at baseball stadiums until the rise of the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1970s, after which it was eventually discontinued as it was seen as being discriminatory to men.[1]

History

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Future Hall of Famer Bucky Harris signing scorecards for women attendees on Ladies' Day, 1925

Though Ladies' Day had existed in baseball since the 19th century, the idea was to create an environment in the stands free of unsavory characters and conduct and to make baseball a family-oriented event. The New York Gothams reportedly held the first Ladies' Day in 1883.

Ladies' Day was reintroduced in 1913 by Helene Hathaway Britton, the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals and the first woman to own a baseball team.[2] The Cardinals Ladies' Day promotion allowed women free entry to the park if accompanied by a man.[3]

The promotion gained popularity after World War I.[4] This was due, in part, to Charles Weeghman, owner of the Chicago Cubs. Weegham had used the promotion during his time with the short-lived Federal League as owner of the Chicago Whales and to promote the park which would eventually become known as Wrigley Field.[5]

Ladies Day promotions began to decline after the case of Abosh v. New York Yankees, Inc. in 1972, where the New York State Human Rights Appeal Board ruled that Ladies' Day was discriminatory "in a modern technological society where women and men are to be on equal footing as a matter of public policy."[6][7]

Notable games on Ladies' Day/Night

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Getzenberg, Alaina (August 14, 2017). "'Ladies Day' connected women to baseball". MLB.com.
  2. ^ Russell, Stefene (March 14, 2019). "Did you know the concept of Ladies' Day baseball games originated in St. Louis?". St. Louis Magazine.
  3. ^ "Robison Field Free To Women Monday". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 11, 1912. p. 17. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Hollister, Jessica. "#Shortstops: Ladies Day promotions gave women a chance to cheer". National Baseball Hall of Fame.
  5. ^ Grossman, Ron (September 10, 2023). "Ladies Day was once a regular promotion at Chicago's ballparks". Chicago Tribune.
  6. ^ Abosh v. New York Yankees, Inc. (1972) No. CPS-25284, Appeal No. 1194.
  7. ^ de la Cretaz, Britni (June 27, 2017). "Is There Still a Place for Ladies Night in Baseball?". Vice.
  8. ^ Doutrich, Paul E. "September 21, 1933: A pennant for Ladies' Day: Washington Senators clinch first place in American League". Society for American Baseball Research.
  9. ^ Bauer, John. "May 13, 1940: Johnny Mize mashes three home runs as Cardinals, Reds tie in Ladies' Day darkness". Society for American Baseball Research.
  10. ^ Sparks, Glen. "May 18, 1957: Willie Mays steals four bases, homers against Cincinnati". Society for American Baseball Research.
  11. ^ Aaron, Marc Z. "May 11, 1963: Sandy Koufax throws second no-hitter to beat Marichal, Giants". Society for American Baseball Research.
  12. ^ Mann, Jack (May 10, 1965). "Deadly Slide For The Dodgers". Sports Illustrated.
  13. ^ O'Neill, Dan (August 26, 2016). "Aug. 26, 1981: Garry Templeton's Ladies Day eruption". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Further reading

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