Atlantic League (1896–1900) facts for kids

The Atlantic League was a minor league baseball organization. It operated for five years, from 1896 to 1900. The teams in this league were all from the Northeastern United States.

What Was the Atlantic League?

The Atlantic League was a professional baseball league. It was part of the minor league system. This means it was a step below the major leagues. Players often played here to improve their skills. They hoped to eventually join bigger teams.

Where Were the Teams?

The teams in the Atlantic League were located in the Northeastern part of the United States. This region includes states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Having teams close together made it easier for them to travel and play games.

Important People and Players

Many talented players and leaders were part of the Atlantic League.

League President

Ed Barrow was a very important person in the league. He served as its president for three out of its five seasons. Later, Ed Barrow became famous for his work with the New York Yankees. He helped build some of their greatest teams.

Notable Players

Some players who played in the Atlantic League went on to become very well-known.

• Honus Wagner played for the Paterson team in 1896 and 1897. He later became one of the greatest players in baseball history. He is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Oyster Burns was a player and manager for the Newark Colts in 1896.
• Jake Wells managed the Richmond team for its entire time in the league.
• Joe Delahanty played for Allentown in 1900. He was an amazing hitter that year. He led the entire league with a batting average of .469. This means he got a hit almost half the times he batted!

Why Did the League End?

The Atlantic League only lasted for five seasons. Many minor leagues during that time had short lives. They often faced challenges like financial problems or competition from other leagues. The Atlantic League stopped operating after the 1900 season. However, it played an important role in baseball history. It gave many players a chance to develop their talents.

Images for kids

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  Ed Barrow was president of the Atlantic League for three of its five seasons.

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  Oyster Burns was player-manager of the Newark Colts in 1896.

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  Jake Wells was Richmond's only manager.

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  Joe Delahanty played for Allentown in 1900 and led the Atlantic League in batting with a .469 average.

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  Future Hall of Famer Honus Wagner played for Paterson in 1896 and 1897.