United States Baseball League
Encyclopedia
The United States Baseball League was a short-lived hopeful third major-league that was established in New York City
in 1912.
In March 1912, organizers of the proposed league–described by members of the sports establishment as an "outlaw league"–met in New York's Hotel Imperial. The U.S. Baseball League subsequently organized teams in Chicago
, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York
, Reading, Pennsylvania
; Richmond, Virginia
; and Washington, D.C.
The league president was William Witmann.
The League President was William Abbott Witman, the Mayor of Reading, PA and the Owner of the League entry from that City. He outfitted his Reading team in blue-gray uniforms with red-and-blue sleeve shields bearing a white R (reminiscent of the Interstate highway shields found on U.S. roadways today). The team had no nickname but played at the Fairgrounds in Reading. The New York Knickerbockers or Gotham Knickerbockers played at the Bronx Oval, and wore cream-colored uniforms, or white with gray sweater coats, bearing a black NY on the left sleeve. The Richmond Rebels wore a steel-gray ensemble, with matching white sweater coats bearing a black R. The only-known information about the Forest City team in Cleveland is that they issued schedule cards in a light-green color. The following year, however, Cleveland's entry in the fledgling Federal League was called the Green Sox.
The League tried again in May 1913, with a slightly different medley of teams. Among the newcomers were the Lynchburg Shoemakers, who had been ejected from the Virginia League the season before. They played their home games at the Fairgrounds in Lynchburg, and sported an old-style L on their uniforms. Another entry from the Nation's capitol played at Georgetown Park in Georgetown. Although ostensibly called the Senators, the Washington Post dubbed this team the Bandits (because of their Outlaw status). The Bandits lost their season opener at Georgetown Park in an exciting extra-inning game to the visiting team from Brooklyn, 9-8. Meanwhile, the Shoemakers also dropped their home opener against Baltimore at the Fairgrounds 7-4. The Baltimore team finished with the best record in the drastically foreshortened 2nd season, and was informally known as the Monumentals, the usual nickname for outlaw teams who played in opposition to the established Orioles. Things became unravelled very quickly again in 1913 for the U.S. League, due in particular to the flop of the New York and Newark teams, who quarreled about the pitiful proceeds from the Gate at the opener played in Newark.
Information on the Reading, New York, Richmond, Cleveland, Lynchburg (1913) and Georgetown (1913) teams was compiled by Russell R. Yoder, from Microfilm records of The Reading Eagle, The Washington Post, and The Baseball Hall of Fame Archives in Cooperstown, New York.
of 1914–1915". The Federal League, which reflected the last major effort to establish an independent major league, was financed by magnates including oil "baron" Harry F. Sinclair
.Suehsdorf (1978), p. 54.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1912.
In March 1912, organizers of the proposed league–described by members of the sports establishment as an "outlaw league"–met in New York's Hotel Imperial. The U.S. Baseball League subsequently organized teams in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
; Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
; and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The league president was William Witmann.
Collapse
Sports historian Rudolf K. Haerle observed that the U.S. Baseball League "stressed the inherent 'good' of baseball for all individuals and communities, and indicated that it wished to conduct its business in the accepted capitalist style–free competition in the marketplace". Despite these lofty ambitions, the league quickly incurred the scorn and hostility of the baseball establishment. Additionally burdened with weak leadership, limited financing, poor attendance, and a lack of skillful players, the U.S. Baseball League "folded after about one month of action".Teams
- Pittsburgh FilipinosPittsburgh RebelsThe Pittsburgh Rebels were a professional baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team was a member of the short-lived Federal League, which was a minor league in 1913 but a full-fledged outlaw major league the next two years...
- Richmond RebelsRichmond RebelsThe Richmond Rebels were one of eight teams in the United States Baseball League, and were based in Richmond, Virginia. The league collapsed within two months of its creation from May 1 to June 24, 1912...
- ReadingReading (United States Baseball League)Reading was one of 8 teams in the "outlaw" United States Baseball League based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The league folded after just over a month of play. Reading was the only team in the league without a nickname.- 1912 Standings :...
- Cincinnati PippinsCincinnati PippinsThe Cincinnati Pippins were a franchise in the United States Baseball League based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team and the league lasted just over a month, from May 1 to June 5, 1912. The highest amount of games played by any of the eight team league was 26...
- Washington SenatorsWashington Senators (1912)The Washington Senators were one of eight teams of the United States Baseball League. The league folded after just over a month of play in 1912. The Senators were owned by Hugh McKinnon and managed by George Browne.- 1912 Standings :...
- Washington [Georgetown] Bandits (1913)
- Chicago Green SoxChicago Green SoxThe Chicago Green Sox were a short-lived franchise of the United States Baseball League. The eight-team league ceased operations after just over a month of play in 1912.- 1912 Standings :...
- Cleveland Forest CityCleveland Forest City (1912)Cleveland Forest City was a short-lived major-league franchise that collapsed after 1 month of play with the United States Baseball League in 1912. The Forest City were managed by Jack O'Connor and owned by W.L...
- New York KnickerbockersNew York Knickerbockers (1912)The New York Knickerbockers were one of 8 teams in the short-lived United States Baseball League, which collapsed after just over a month of play. The Knickerbockers were owned by Charles White and managed by William Jordon.- 1912 Standings :...
- Lynchburg Shoemakers (1913)
The League President was William Abbott Witman, the Mayor of Reading, PA and the Owner of the League entry from that City. He outfitted his Reading team in blue-gray uniforms with red-and-blue sleeve shields bearing a white R (reminiscent of the Interstate highway shields found on U.S. roadways today). The team had no nickname but played at the Fairgrounds in Reading. The New York Knickerbockers or Gotham Knickerbockers played at the Bronx Oval, and wore cream-colored uniforms, or white with gray sweater coats, bearing a black NY on the left sleeve. The Richmond Rebels wore a steel-gray ensemble, with matching white sweater coats bearing a black R. The only-known information about the Forest City team in Cleveland is that they issued schedule cards in a light-green color. The following year, however, Cleveland's entry in the fledgling Federal League was called the Green Sox.
Standings
The league's regular season began May 1, 1912 and ended June 5. The Richmond Times Dispatch released the schedule the league originally intended to have on April 8.| Team | Win | Loss | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Filipinos | 19 | 7 | .731 |
| Richmond Rebels | 15 | 11 | .577 |
| Reading (no name) | 12 | 9 | .571 |
| Cincinnati Pippins | 12 | 10 | .545 |
| Washington Senators | 6 | 7 | .462 |
| Chicago Green Sox | 10 | 12 | .455 |
| Cleveland Forest City | 8 | 13 | .381 |
| New York Knickerbockers | 2 | 15 | .118 |
Ballparks
- Bronx Oval - New York
- Exposition ParkExposition Park (Pittsburgh)Exposition Park was a baseball park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1890 to circa 1915. It was located on the north side of the Allegheny River across from Pittsburgh's downtown area. Prior to the construction of this version of Exposition Park, two previous ballparks of the same name were...
- Pittsburgh - The Fairgrounds - Lynchburg
- Georgetown Park - Washington D.C.
- Gunther ParkGunther ParkGunther Park was a semi-professional baseball park in Chicago, Illinois. It was located at Clark Street and Leland Avenue, and was built in 1905...
(Clark St and Leland Ave) - Chicago; now Chase Park - National Association GroundsNational Association GroundsNational Association Grounds was a baseball grounds in Cleveland, Ohio. It was home to the Cleveland Forest Citys of the National Association in 1871 and 1872, so it is considered a major league ballpark by those who count the National Association as a major league.- References :*Retrosheet. ....
- Cleveland - Lee Park (Moore Street and North Boulevard) - Richmond; became Boulevard Field of the Richmond Climbers in 1917, and now The Diamond
The League tried again in May 1913, with a slightly different medley of teams. Among the newcomers were the Lynchburg Shoemakers, who had been ejected from the Virginia League the season before. They played their home games at the Fairgrounds in Lynchburg, and sported an old-style L on their uniforms. Another entry from the Nation's capitol played at Georgetown Park in Georgetown. Although ostensibly called the Senators, the Washington Post dubbed this team the Bandits (because of their Outlaw status). The Bandits lost their season opener at Georgetown Park in an exciting extra-inning game to the visiting team from Brooklyn, 9-8. Meanwhile, the Shoemakers also dropped their home opener against Baltimore at the Fairgrounds 7-4. The Baltimore team finished with the best record in the drastically foreshortened 2nd season, and was informally known as the Monumentals, the usual nickname for outlaw teams who played in opposition to the established Orioles. Things became unravelled very quickly again in 1913 for the U.S. League, due in particular to the flop of the New York and Newark teams, who quarreled about the pitiful proceeds from the Gate at the opener played in Newark.
Information on the Reading, New York, Richmond, Cleveland, Lynchburg (1913) and Georgetown (1913) teams was compiled by Russell R. Yoder, from Microfilm records of The Reading Eagle, The Washington Post, and The Baseball Hall of Fame Archives in Cooperstown, New York.
Legacy
Many sports historians view the U.S. Baseball League as "a major precursor to the Federal LeagueFederal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
of 1914–1915". The Federal League, which reflected the last major effort to establish an independent major league, was financed by magnates including oil "baron" Harry F. Sinclair
Harry F. Sinclair
Harry Ford Sinclair was an American oil industrialist.-Early life:Harry Sinclair was born in Benwood, West Virginia, now a suburb of the city of Wheeling. Sinclair grew up in Independence, Kansas. The son of a pharmacist, after finishing high school, he entered the pharmacy department of the...
.Suehsdorf (1978), p. 54.