June 16 is Ladies’ Day

It’s a good thing they changed the logo.

Today is Ladies’ Day, devised to attract more women to baseball games and convert them to fans.

The New York Gothams’ management held the first Ladies’ Day on Tuesday, June 16, 1883, at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan. All women, both escorted and unescorted, were admitted free. The Gothams beat the Cleveland Spiders 5-2 that day. (The team later changed its name to the New York Giants.)

Ladies’ Day proved so popular, it was made a weekly tradition by many ball clubs. More women began to fill the grandstands and over time, baseball games became more of a family affair.

Happy Ladies’ Day to one and all!