Preheat oven to 350°F.
Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder; set aside. Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla; add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture alternately with milk; beat on medium speed until smooth.
Pour butter into a 9x13-inch pan; scatter brown sugar over butter. Arrange pineapple slices in a single layer in bottom of pan. Place 1 cherry in center of each pineapple slice. Scatter pecans around pineapple.
Pour prepared cake batter over pineapple slices. Transfer to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Invert onto a large platter and remove pan; serve plain, with whipped cream or ice cream.
Makes 12 servings.