Federal League Baseball (1914-1915) Official Thread

Blackborder

I think the Federal league is intriguing. They managed to pull some star players from the other two leagues and gave MLB a real run for their money for two years. It's also neat to see professional teams from cities you don't expect like Indianapolis, Newark, and Buffalo.

Are the 1914-1915 Cracker Jack cards the only ones to depict Federal League players?

Does anyone here collect Federal League memorabilia? It would seem like a neat MLB speciality to collect.

Just thought I'd start an "official" thread so members can share their Federal League info and memorabilia!


If you have any links/pics/info, please post!

Blackborder

Here's a link to an ebay seller I discovered who sells sports shirts from old teams. They have quite a few Federal League shirts. Link

Stone193

Great idea!

Here's a nice summary of the FL.

Just imagine tryin to challenge MLB with another league today? The investment would be off the chart!

mike

packman

The history of the Federal League is an interesting story. Here is a website about the years 1914 and 1915 in the Federal League.

David

1914

1915

Munson15

<< <i> It's also neat to see professional teams from cities you don't expect like Indianapolis, Newark, and Buffalo. >>



Actually those and other cities (like Louisville) were in on the ground floor in proffessional baseball. It was just geography that excluded them eventually. It was cheaper to move teams around the East Coast then take a trip into the 'mid west' like Indy and Louisville.

Buffalo adn Rochester in NY were also big names in early baseball.


There is a new book that states the Knuckleball was a Hoosier Baseball creation. Pretty interesting stuff.....

Griffins

<< <i>Just imagine tryin to challenge MLB with another league today? >>



The last attempt was in 1960 by Branch Rickey with the Continental League. It was based on putting a NL team back in NY, and having broadcasts on a new concept called cable TV in California. The attempt at cable was about 12 years ahead of its time, and MLB preempted the upstart league by expanding in '61 and '62.

While there are several issues that notate Federal League affiliations, I think Cracker Jacks are the only issue to actually picture players in uniform. I need to consult Lipset's book tonite to confirm that.

Blackborder

Here's a great website I found.

Federal League

2dueces

Here a few postcards featuring Federal League Teams. Enjoy.

ArnyVee

I noticed this Unused Federal League Baseball in an auction a bit ago. Cool to see one of the unused baseballs.

Stone193

Cool item Arny.

mike

lostdart58

<< <i>

Are the 1914-1915 Cracker Jack cards the only ones to depict Federal League players?

>>


The 1915 American Caramel set ( E-106) also featured some Fereral league players including HOFer Ed Plank.

Estil

While we're on this subject, does anyone remember the Pacific Coast League that was the only minor league to have "open" classification (between AAA and major league status) in 1952-57? They went back to AAA when the Dodgers and Giants moved to California, but I wonder how much different baseball would have come had the PCL (or any other minor league) had succeeded in becoming a third major league? Could baseball have successfully supported a third major league? And with three major leagues, how would you do the World Series? Round robin format perhaps?

tkd7

<< <i>

<< <i> It's also neat to see professional teams from cities you don't expect like Indianapolis, Newark, and Buffalo. >>



Actually those and other cities (like Louisville) were in on the ground floor in proffessional baseball. It was just geography that excluded them eventually. It was cheaper to move teams around the East Coast then take a trip into the 'mid west' like Indy and Louisville.

>>



I think Newark was also chosen as it did not have a ban on Sunday baseball like New York. Many of baseball's fans in those days (as today) were working class men that were at their job Monday through Saturday, leaving Sunday as their only option to see baseball. Without night baseball, many of the big city teams lost money by not being able to play on Sunday. It was common for New York teams to play exhibitions on Sunday in Newark against their Eastern League team. My guess is that the other "smaller" cities didn't have baseball blue laws either.

Griffins

<< <i>The 1915 American Caramel set ( E-106) also featured some Fereral league players including HOFer Ed Plank. >>



Jami- E106 notes Federal League affiliation, but only Cracker Jacks show players in Federal League uniforms. Other issues that show Federal League designations are D303, T216 and T213.

baseballfanatic

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i> It's also neat to see professional teams from cities you don't expect like Indianapolis, Newark, and Buffalo. >>



Actually those and other cities (like Louisville) were in on the ground floor in proffessional baseball. It was just geography that excluded them eventually. It was cheaper to move teams around the East Coast then take a trip into the 'mid west' like Indy and Louisville.

>>



I think Newark was also chosen as it did not have a ban on Sunday baseball like New York. Many of baseball's fans in those days (as today) were working class men that were at their job Monday through Saturday, leaving Sunday as their only option to see baseball. Without night baseball, many of the big city teams lost money by not being able to play on Sunday. It was common for New York teams to play exhibitions on Sunday in Newark against their Eastern League team. My guess is that the other "smaller" cities didn't have baseball blue laws either. >>




Newark (Peppers) actually replaced the 1914 champion Indianapolis Feds (hoosiers)and became the first team to relocate after winning a title. Their games were actually played in Harrison NJ in Harrison Park. The Federal League is some of the best reading out there. Check out the history of Benny Kauff if you want some interesting baseball reading of the times.....

Blackborder

Here's an interesting ebay auction with various newspaper clipping of Federal League news. Interesting cartoon about Johnson falling for the Federal League "siren". I'm assuming they're referring to Walter Johnson who I believe Comisky paid $10,000 to keep in the American League if I remember the story correctly.

Ebay auction