This day in baseball: The first professional league
Posted: March 17, 2014 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Boston Red Stockings, Chicago White Stockings, Cleveland Forest Cities, Fort Wayne Kekiongas, Henry Chadwick, history, National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, New York Mutuals, Philadelphia Athletics, Rockford Forest Cities, sports, Troy Unions, Washington Olympics 2 CommentsThe National Association of Professional Baseball Players was formed on March 17, 1871 at a convention held in New York City. The convention, called by Henry Chadwick, marked the formation of baseball’s first official professional league. Although the league only lasted until 1875, it outlined rules for championship series, player compensation, and paved the way for the formation of the National League. The new National Association included the following new professional teams: Boston Red Stockings, Chicago White Stockings, Troy Unions (New York), Cleveland Forest Cities, New York Mutuals, Philadelphia Athletics, Fort Wayne Kekiongas (Indiana), Rockford Forest Cities (Illinois), and Washington Olympics.
The Boston Red Stockings were baseball’s first professional team and members of the NAPBBP (19c Base Ball)
