By: Ian Curtis February 13, 2019

For over a century, the National League and American League together have dominated baseball’s biggest stage. But for a short time, a third league was just as notable.

The Federal League was founded by John T. Powers and played from 1913-1915. The league had eight teams, with four (Brooklyn, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis) placed in established Major-League cities. The remaining four clubs were placed in areas with less competition (Baltimore, Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Kansas City).

In order to compete with the Majors, the league realized it needed major league talent. The owners elected to not establish a reserve clause (one team holding on to a players rights until their contract expires). Players realized the potential of this concept, and many jumped to the new league. Many criticized the league for this, branding it the “Outlaw League”. While the the “Fed League” did face backlash, their “outlaw” status did result in free agency being demonstrated in full for the first time.

What ended the Federal League’s run as a major league in the end was simply the Amercian and National Leagues. The league was in bad straits financially in 1915, when owners from the AL and NL bought out four of the eight teams. Two owners of successful Federal League teams were allowed to buy struggling franchises in the established leagues in exchange for the Federal League’s dissolution. Phil Ball, owner of the St. Louis Terriers bought the St. Louis Browns of the American League, while Charles Weeghman of the Chicago Whales purchased the National League’s Chicago Cubs.

Although the league did not last long, it did leave an important legacy. During the financial struggles of the league, they sued the National League. In the ensuing legal case, the precedent that Sheman Anti-Trust Laws do not apply to Major League Baseball was set. The other notable monument to the league is Wrigley Field. Originally named Weeghman Park after the aforementioned Charles Weeghman, the ballpark was originally built for his Chicago Whales.

In this era, we are unlikely to see a third major league play ever again. Although it may have played a century ago, the Federal League is our best chance to see what three major leagues truly looked like. Sadly, the league has been forgotten by most fans, even though it played an important part in baseball’s history.