Early Baseball Leagues

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Early Baseball Leagues

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Early Leagues

In 1845, Alexander Cartwright led the establishment of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, the first team believed to have played baseball under modern rules. The club's by-laws committee formulated the Knickerbocker Rules, which in large part dealt with organizational matters and laid out rules for playing the game. In 1857, sixteen New York area clubs, including the Knickerbockers, formed the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), the first organization to govern the sport and to establish a championship.

Aided by the Civil War, membership grew, leading to a more unified national version of the sport. Beginning in 1869, the association permitted professional play, addressing a growing practice that had not been permitted under its rules to that point. In 1870, a feud developed between professional and amateur ballplayers. The NABBP split into two groups, one became the National Association (NA), largely considered to be the first major league.

In 1845, Alexander Cartwright led the establishment of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, the first team believed to have played baseball under modern rules. The club's by-laws committee formulated the Knickerbocker Rules, which in large part dealt with organizational matters and laid out rules for playing the game. In 1857, sixteen New York area clubs, including the Knickerbockers, formed the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), the first organization to govern the sport and to establish a championship.

Aided by the Civil War, membership grew, leading to a more unified national version of the sport. Beginning in 1869, the association permitted professional play, addressing a growing practice that had not been permitted under its rules to that point. In 1870, a feud developed between professional and amateur ballplayers. The NABBP split into two groups, one became the National Association (NA), largely considered to be the first major league.

FL: 1913-1915 (3 seasons)

Eliminated the 'reserve clause', allowing free agency that created competition and disdain with the AL and NL.

United States Baseball League

USBL: 1912-1912 (1 season)

Sputtering through two short seasons, the league was the first to introduce free agency and multi-year contracts.

American League

AL: 1901- (119 seasons)

The "Junior Circuit" claimed Major League status 25 years after the formation of the NL.

WL: 1894-1900 (7 seasons)

Originally a minor league in 1885, evolved into a major league that eventually became the modern American League.

PL: 1890-1890 (1 season)

Known as "The Brotherhood" league, it was formed around players from the National League's first players' union.

Union Association

UA: 1884-1884 (1 season)

The league president's favoritism toward his own St. Louis franchise doomed the league from the beginning.

American Association

AA: 1882-1891 (10 seasons)

Became a significant force in baseball by playing on Sundays and allowing sales of alcohol, unlike the NL.

National League

NL: 1876- (144 seasons)

The "Senior Circuit" is the world's oldest professional team sports league still in existence today.

National Association

NA: 1871-1875 (5 seasons)

The league included most of the pro clubs and highest caliber players of its time, paving the way for the origin of the NL in 1876.

National Association of Base Ball Players

NABBP: 1857-1870 (14 seasons)

The first organization governing professional baseball and establishing standard rules across the national sport.

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