1890

Introduction

The year is 1890. It is the early beginnings of organized sports leagues in North America with Baseball providing the first-ever Major Sports League and league rivalry. This year saw that rivalry intensify as the older, established National League and the upstart American Association, were challenged by a new league called the Players’ League. The older two leagues culminated with their seventh and final World Series.

The Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, as the first Elite League for Hockey, returns for another year of play.

In Football we see the establishment and expansion of the sport with the Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit, the first-ever organized Top Player League  for Football. The sport was created in 1869 and being dominated by college play did not follow the evolution of Baseball and Hockey, skipping the Proto-League and Elite League stages.


New Leagues

The Players’ League (PL) was formed as a Major Sports League to challenge the other two leagues 134 years ago.

The first-ever Top Player League for Football is created when the Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit (WPPFC) was established 134 years ago.


Leagues in Operation

Year 15 of play in the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs (NL) took place 134 years ago. (source) (source)

The 'first logo' of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs
The ‘first logo’ of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs

Year 9 of play in the American Association of Base Ball Clubs (AA) took place 134 years ago.

The logo of the American Association (of Baseball)
The logo of the American Association of Base Ball Clubs

Year 8 of play across the Independent and Minor League system of Baseball took place 134 years ago.


Year 4 of play in the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (AHAC) took place 134 years ago.


Year 1 of play for the Players’ League (PL) took place 134 years ago.


Year 1 of play for the Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit (WPPFC) took place 134 years ago.


Leagues that Folded

n/a


League Champions and Other Events

Baseball


NL Champion: Brooklyn Bridegrooms
AA Champion: Louisville Colonels
PL Champion: Boston Reds
World Series Champion: Tied

Hockey

AHAC Champion: Montreal Hockey Club

Football

WPPFC Champion: Allegheny Athletic Association

Basketball

No leagues in operation.

Other Leagues

Obsolete League activity.