The 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.
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