The Junior World Series was a postseason championship series between champions of two of the three highest minor league baseball leagues modeled on the World Series of Major League Baseball . It was called the Little World Series (no relation to the Little League World Series ) until 1932, and acquired other official names at different times.
52-759: The various iterations of the Junior World Series were played for most of the years of the 20th century, off and on depending on the fortunes of the various leagues involved. Most often it was held between the champions of the International League (IL) and the American Association (AA). This left the third, and sometimes stronger, minor circuit called the Pacific Coast League (PCL) out of this minor league championship series. After not being held in 1972 and 1974,
104-586: A "silent monument" to the failed Federal League experiment. Otherwise, few visible remnants were left by the short-lived Federal League. The Baltimore entry sold their facility to the Baltimore Orioles of the International League , who renamed it Oriole Park and played there for nearly 30 years before it was destroyed by fire. The Newark ballpark was also used for minor league ball for a short time. Washington Park III in Brooklyn, completed after
156-410: A current major league club (Baltimore, Buffalo, Indianapolis and Kansas City). In the first year, 1914, some of the teams had official nicknames and some did not, but either way, sportswriters were inclined to invent their own nicknames: "ChiFeds," "BrookFeds," etc. By the second season, most of the teams had "official" nicknames, although many writers still called many of the teams "-Feds." In order for
208-677: A league champion. In further postseason play, the IL champion meets the Pacific Coast League 's champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game , a single game to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball, which has been held annually since 2006, excluding 2020 and 2021. Previously, the IL champion also competed in the Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), Junior World Series (1919), and other sporadic postseason competitions throughout
260-587: A league game in Goldfield, Nevada on 7 August 1907 with two revolvers strapped around his waist. The local sheriff showed up and disarmed him, before allowing the game to proceed. Interference by the National and American Leagues in their operations caused the Federal League to fold after the 1915 season. This resulted in a landmark federal lawsuit, Federal Baseball Club v. National League , in which
312-766: A re-organization of the Interstate Association of 1883; the New York State League , formed in 1885; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885. The New York State League and Ontario League merged in 1886 to form the International League, and in 1887 the Eastern League was absorbed to create a ten-club league. Also in 1887, the International League passed a resolution barring African Americans from playing in
364-462: A single game between the winners of the East and West Divisions. Since 2023, a best-of-three series has been held between the winners of each half of the season. Active International League teams appear in bold . The IL recognizes outstanding players and team personnel annually near the end of each season. The Most Valuable Player Award , first awarded in 1932, is given to honor the best player in
416-546: Is divided into the East Division and the West Division, each consisting of 10 teams. As of the 2022 season, all teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in late March and concluding in late September. Since the 2023 season, the regular season is split into two halves. After the completion of the season, the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series to determine a league champion . From 1933 to 2019,
468-583: The Baltimore Orioles , original Buffalo Bisons , and Toronto Maple Leafs (10). During the era of the Governors' Cup playoffs from 1933 to 2020, the most cup titles were won by Columbus (11), followed by Rochester (10) and the Syracuse Mets (8). The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League of 1884, which was itself
520-601: The Buffalo Bisons and Indianapolis Indians , respectively. Newark had a team, the Bears , in the independent Can-Am League , which folded after the 2012 season. There is at least one achievement of note that happened in Federal League play. Eddie Plank , pitching for the St. Louis Terriers , won his milestone 300th game on September 11, 1915, at St. Louis' Handlan's Park , becoming the first 300-game winning left-hander in
572-752: The Cleveland Indians , 8–6, in 11 innings before 11,032 fans at Franklin County Stadium in Columbus, Ohio . The International League and the American Association , another Triple-A league that operated in the Midwest, voted in 1988 to play interleague games as part of the Triple-A Alliance . The league also split into two divisions that year. The interleague concept ended in 1992, but the two league divisions remained. In 1998,
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#1732775378850624-523: The Negro leagues , it would be the last independent major league outside the established structure of professional baseball to make it to the playing field, and would be the last serious attempt to create a third major league until the abortive Continental League of 1960. In 1912, baseball promoter John T. Powers formed an independent professional league known as the Columbian League . However,
676-506: The Sherman Antitrust Act ; MLB remains the only North American sports league with such a status, and it has not faced any competitor leagues since unlike the other pro sports leagues because of this exemption. Though significantly weakened in the 1970s, this exemption remains intact 102 years later; however, it has been eroded by subsequent court rulings and legislation regarding issues specific to Major League Baseball. Of
728-560: The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the Sherman Antitrust Act did not apply to Major League Baseball . The Federal League left its mark on baseball history in the field now known as Wrigley Field , which was originally built for the Chicago Whales Federal League team. The league itself and many sports writers considered it a major league during its existence; organized baseball recognized its major league status in 1968. Not including certain periods of
780-459: The "outlaw" league allowed players to avoid the restrictions of the organized leagues' reserve clause . The competition of another, better paying league caused players' salaries to skyrocket, demonstrating the bargaining potential of free agency for the first time since the war between the AL and NL. Notably, six years prior to his founding of the Federal League, John T. Powers took the field to umpire
832-468: The 1915 season was underway, resembled Chicago's Weeghman Park. It was used for various sports until the end of 1917 and then for storage until Brooklyn Edison Electric bought the property in 1925 and shortly thereafter tore it down. One wall still stands. The other Federal League ballparks were demolished quickly, including the home of the Pittsburgh Rebels , Exposition Park , which had been
884-416: The 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel through better geographical alignment. As part of this reorganization, the International League was expanded to 20 teams and temporarily renamed the "Triple-A East" for the 2021 season. Of these 20 teams, 14 were existing members of
936-564: The All-Star Game itself. These teams were either charter members of the IL in 1912 or were added as expansion teams thereafter. Three current teams joined the IL in 1998 from the American Association , which disbanded after the 1997 season. Indianapolis had previously played in the IL in 1963. Four current teams were placed in the IL from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2021. One current team
988-663: The Federal League to succeed, it needed Big League players. Walter Johnson signed a three-year contract with the Chicago team, but the Senators' Clark Griffith went personally to Johnson's home in Kansas and made a successful counter-offer. Major League players that jumped to the Federal League included Bill McKechnie , Claude Hendrix , Jack Quinn , Russell Ford , Tom Seaton , Doc Crandall , Al Bridwell , and Hal Chase . The Federal League also recruited Big League names to manage
1040-583: The International League reorganized into three divisions with the addition of four new teams—the Buffalo Bisons , Indianapolis Indians , and Louisville Redbirds joined from the disbanded American Association, while the Durham Bulls joined from the Class A Carolina League . The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30. Prior to
1092-576: The International League, four were the easternmost teams from the Pacific Coast League , one was promoted from the Double-A Southern League , and one moved from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball . Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Triple-A East was renamed the International League effective with the 2022 season. The International League
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#17327753788501144-532: The National Agreement on player payment in place in organized baseball , the Federal League was called an "outlaw league" by its competitors. The Federal League's outlaw status allowed it to recruit players from established clubs, and it attracted many current and former players from the major as well as minor leagues. In 1913, the Federal League played as an independent six-team minor league. In its first season Powers initially served as president, but he
1196-602: The St. Louis Terriers (87-67), they were awarded the pennant based on their slightly better winning percentage (.566 to .565). Pittsburgh, with one game unplayed, ended up at 86-67 (.562). During the 1914–15 offseason, Federal League owners brought an antitrust lawsuit against the American and National Leagues. The lawsuit ended up in the court of Federal Judge (and future Commissioner of Baseball ) Kenesaw Mountain Landis , who allowed
1248-514: The US. The IL's 20 teams are located in 14 states stretching from Papillion, Nebraska , to Worcester, Massachusetts , and from St. Paul, Minnesota , to Jacksonville, Florida . A league champion is determined at the end of each season. The Rochester Red Wings have won 19 International League titles , the most in the league's history, followed by the Columbus Clippers (11) and
1300-579: The Year Award , started in 1967, is given to the league's top manager. The Executive of the Year Award, first awarded in 1964, honored team executives who contributed to the success of the league. The Spirit of the International League Award, first awarded in 2010, honored team executives who exhibited dedication to creating and maintaining positive fan experiences when visiting IL games. The International League Hall of Fame
1352-507: The case to languish while he urged both sides to negotiate. Swift action might have made a difference, but without the lawsuit going forward, the Federals found themselves in deepening financial straits. After the 1915 season, the owners of the American and National Leagues bought out half of the owners (Pittsburgh, Newark, Buffalo, and Brooklyn) of the Federal League teams. Two Federal League owners were allowed to buy struggling franchises in
1404-431: The established National and American Leagues , from 1914 to 1915 . The Federal League came together in early 1913 through the work of John T. Powers, and immediately challenged the operations of organized baseball as a minor league playing outside of the National Agreement. After James A. Gilmore succeeded Powers as league president, the league declared itself to be a major league. Playing in what detractors called
1456-606: The established leagues: Phil Ball, owner of the St. Louis Terriers , was allowed to buy the St. Louis Browns of the AL, and Charles Weeghman , owner of the Chicago Whales , bought the Chicago Cubs . Both owners merged their teams into the established ones. The Kansas City franchise had been declared bankrupt and taken over by the league office after the close of the regular season, and the Baltimore owners rejected
1508-469: The four teams with the highest winning percentage . From 1988 to 2020, the four qualifiers were the division winners and one or two wild card teams. The winner of each season's championship playoffs was awarded the Governors' Cup . These playoffs and the Governors' Cup trophy were discontinued in 2021. The 2021 winner was the team with the best regular-season record. The 2022 championship was decided via
1560-522: The history of major league baseball and one of only six as of 2018. However, that milestone was not acknowledged by Major League Baseball until 1968. The Federal League was the last serious attempt at creating a "third major league" outside the established structure of professional baseball in the U.S. There was one further attempt at creating a third league – the Continental League in 1959 – but its founders had hoped to find their place within
1612-818: The home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League until they moved into Forbes Field in 1909. The other "silent monument" to the Federal League is a famous legal decision. In 1922, the Supreme Court ruled in Federal Baseball Club v. National League (brought by the Terrapins, one of the teams which had not been bought out), that Major League Baseball and its constituent leagues were primarily entertainment, not conventional interstate commerce, and thus were exempt from
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1664-581: The last Junior World Series was held in 1975. The Junior World Series was superseded by the Triple-A Classic , held from 1988 to 1991. Then, from 1998 to 2000, the Triple-A World Series pitted the IL and PCL champs (as the AA had folded in 1997). The Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game was established in 2006. In Game 2 of the 1956 Junior World Series, Roger Maris set a record with seven runs batted in . The 1919 championship series
1716-470: The last weekend of the season. On the season's final day, Sunday, October 3, Chicago split a doubleheader with Pittsburgh, winning the darkness-shortened seven-inning nightcap, 3-0; this combined with St. Louis' 6-2 win over Kansas City, knocked Pittsburgh back to third (albeit just a half-game behind), with Chicago and St. Louis in a virtual tie for first. But since the Whales (86-66) played two fewer games than
1768-489: The league's ballparks each season. The Hall became dormant after 1963, but was revived in 2007. New members are elected before the start of each season. Federal League The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs , known simply as the Federal League , was an American professional baseball league that played its first season as a minor league in 1913 and operated as a "third major league ", in competition with
1820-583: The league's history. Other interleague play occurred during the Triple-A All-Star Game . Traditionally, the game had taken place on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game . The game was meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season (though not the mathematical halfway-point which, for most seasons, is usually one month prior). During the All-Star break, no regular-season games were scheduled for two days before
1872-560: The league. The Pitcher of the Year Award , first awarded in 1953 and known as the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, serves to recognize the league's best pitcher. Pitchers were eligible to win the award from 1932 to 1952 as no award was designated solely for pitchers. The Top MLB Prospect Award , created in 1950 as the Rookie of the Year Award, is given to the best player with no prior IL experience. The Manager of
1924-496: The league. The league collapsed soon afterwards, when the northern teams claimed that it was too onerous to travel to the south and formed the International Association . The "International League" name was first used in 1886, but did not become the longterm name of the league until 1912. The league ultimately cited 1884 as the year of its foundation, through the following lineage: The International League
1976-651: The locations of teams in the Federal League, five currently have major league teams. Those are Baltimore, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Brooklyn has a minor league team, the Brooklyn Cyclones . (The major league Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, although the New York Mets , the Cyclones' parent club, have been located in the adjacent borough of Queens since 1964.) Buffalo and Indianapolis have International League teams,
2028-579: The modern IL began in 1912. Following MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues in 2021, it operated as the Triple-A East for one season before switching back to its previous moniker in 2022. It is so named because throughout much of its history the International League had teams in Canada and Cuba as well as those in the United States. Since 2008, however, all of its teams have been based in
2080-614: The new teams. Joe Tinker managed the Chicago team, Mordecai Brown managed the St. Louis team and Bill Bradley managed the Brooklyn team. In 1914, the Colonial League began to operate as a Class C level league based in Southern New England . In April, Alexander Bannwart drew notice by acquiring Big Jeff Pfeffer to manage the team in Pawtucket, Rhode Island , and by May, it was suspected that Bannwart
2132-629: The newly created team in San Juan, Puerto Rico , added in 1961, had to be moved to Charleston, West Virginia , in mid-season. In June 1971, an IL all-star team beat the New York Yankees , 15–13, in an exhibition game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, New York , before a crowd of 11,001—notable players on the all-star squad included Don Baylor , Carlton Fisk , and Bobby Grich . In August 1983, another team of IL all-stars were defeated by
Junior World Series - Misplaced Pages Continue
2184-419: The offer made to them. They had sought to buy and move an existing franchise to their city, but were rebuffed, and sued unsuccessfully. One of baseball's most famous ballparks was originally built for a Federal League team: Wrigley Field , the home of the Chicago Cubs , began its long life as Weeghman Park, the home of the Chicago Whales . Marc Okkonen, in his book on the Federal League, referred to Wrigley as
2236-593: The purview of organized baseball . The Continental League disbanded in 1960 without ever playing a game, making the Federal League the last such league to ever take to the field. The Federal League features prominently in Ring Lardner 's sports humor book You Know Me Al (1916), in which the protagonist pitches for the Chicago White Sox and repeatedly threatens to jump to the Federal League whenever he feels underappreciated or underpaid. Players in
2288-422: The three division champions and a wild card team squared off in series playoffs to determine a champion, with the winner awarded the Governors' Cup , the league's championship trophy. Following the cancelled 2020 season, rather than hold playoffs for its championship, the 2021 title was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. In 2022, the two division champions met in a single game to determine
2340-461: The withdrawal of one of the organization's primary investors caused the league to fail before ever playing a game. Undaunted, Powers tried again the following year, creating a new league with teams in Chicago , Cleveland , Pittsburgh , Indianapolis , St. Louis , and Covington, Kentucky . He named the organization the Federal League, and served as its first president. Because it did not abide by
2392-460: Was also affected by the effort to establish the Federal League as a new third major league from 1914 to 1915, with franchises being added and dropped and new ballparks built. In 1954, a franchise was awarded to Havana, Cuba , but due to political upheaval in that country it had to be moved—to Jersey City, New Jersey —in the middle of the 1960 season. Another foray into the Caribbean failed when
2444-478: Was elected as the league's treasurer. The Colonial League reorganized itself as a farm system for the Federal League and voluntarily withdrew itself from organized baseball. The Federal League had close pennant races both years. In 1914, Indianapolis beat out Chicago by 1½ games. 1915 witnessed the tightest pennant race in Major League history, as three teams (Chicago, St. Louis and Pittsburgh) fought into
2496-466: Was established in 1947 to honor league players, managers, and executives who have made significant contributions to the league. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class of nine men in 1947. A plaque was unveiled at the IL's New York City offices located in the Ruppert Building at 535 Fifth Avenue. Today, the plaque has no permanent home, but exists as a traveling display that visits a number of
2548-535: Was placed in the IL from the Double-A Southern League in 2021. One current team was placed in the IL from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball in 2021. The International League has crowned a league champion each season since 1884. Through 1932, champions were the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular season. From 1933 to 2020, postseason playoffs were held to determine champions. Participants from 1933 to 1987 were usually
2600-619: Was referred to as the Junior World Series Specific General International League The International League ( IL ) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League , it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB). The league traces its roots to 1884, while
2652-655: Was soon replaced by James A. Gilmore , under whose leadership the league declared itself a major league for the 1914 season. Other financiers of the League included oil baron Harry F. Sinclair , ice magnate Phil Ball , and George S. Ward of the Ward Baking Company . As a major circuit, the Federal League consisted of eight teams each season. Four of the teams were placed in cities with existing major league baseball teams (Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Brooklyn). The other four teams were placed in areas without
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#17327753788502704-695: Was working as an agent of the Federal League, which Bannwart denied. Upon these news reports, some of the founding members of the Colonial League resigned, fearing banishment by the National Baseball Commission . At the April 1915 league meeting, Coppen was re-elected as president and Bannwart was elected secretary. Walter S. Ward, the treasurer of the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League and George S. Ward's son,
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