The Federal League Collection from Royal Retros celebrates the short-lived but unforgettable major league that operated from 1914 to 1915, a bold challenger to the established baseball order and one of the most important “outlaw leagues” in the history of the sport. Although the Federal League lasted only two seasons as a major league, its impact permanently reshaped baseball’s economic structure, influenced future labor battles, and produced teams, players, and stories that still echo in baseball history. This collection honors every franchise from the Federal League — clubs that no longer exist but once helped redefine what major-league baseball could be during a pivotal moment in the game’s evolution.

The Federal League began as an independent minor league in 1913, but quickly transformed into a direct competitor to the American and National Leagues. Backed by ambitious owners, wealthy investors, and a desire to break the reserve clause, the league openly challenged MLB by offering higher salaries, signing established stars, raiding major-league rosters, and establishing franchises in major urban markets. For two seasons, it operated as a third major league with its own pennant races, rivalries, and emerging star talent.

The league featured eight clubs: the Chicago Whales, St. Louis Terriers, Pittsburgh Rebels, Baltimore Terrapins, Brooklyn Tip-Tops, Newark Peppers, Kansas City Packers, and Buffalo Blues. These teams may be gone, but they left behind distinctive logos, daring visual identities, ballpark innovations, and unforgettable players who helped give the Federal League a unique place in baseball history.

The Chicago Whales became the Federal League’s premier franchise, winning the 1915 league championship behind standout players like Dutch Zwilling, Max Flack, Joe Tinker (also serving as manager), Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, and Claude Hendrix. They played at Weeghman Park, which later became Wrigley Field, giving the Whales a permanent place in baseball’s architectural legacy. Their iconic whale logo, navy uniforms, and aggressive pursuit of talent made them the Federal League’s flagship club.

The St. Louis Terriers were one of the league’s most competitive teams, featuring stars like Ward Miller, Doc Crandall, Ernie Johnson, Jack Tobin, and Delos Drake. They battled Chicago for the 1915 pennant in one of the most dramatic finishes of the era. St. Louis had one of the league’s liveliest home atmospheres and helped push the established St. Louis Browns and Cardinals to improve their rosters and facilities.

The Baltimore Terrapins built a strong identity with a turtle-themed brand and featured players like Otto Knabe, Jimmy Whelan, Guy Zinn, and Steve Evans. The Terrapins played at a modern ballpark known as Terrapin Park, and their antitrust lawsuit against organized baseball after the league’s collapse eventually led to the Supreme Court decision that granted MLB its antitrust exemption — making Baltimore one of the most historically significant franchises in baseball's legal history.

The Pittsburgh Rebels were a scrappy, competitive team with talents like Ed Konetchy, Rebel Oakes, Howie Camnitz, Ensign Cottrell, and Chief Wilson. They played tough, fast baseball and finished near the top of the league in 1915, becoming one of the most entertaining clubs of the outlaw league era. Pittsburgh’s involvement created a three-team dynamic in a city that already featured the Pirates and Stogies in independent baseball.

The Brooklyn Tip-Tops delivered one of the most unique branding identities in Federal League history, named after a local bakery company that backed the team. They featured players such as Solly Hofman, Tex McDonald, Steve Evans, Happy Finneran, and Odie Porter. Their uniforms and color schemes stood out among early 20th-century clubs, and they helped position Brooklyn as a multi-team baseball powerhouse during the decade.

The Newark Peppers (formerly the Indianapolis Hoosiers before relocation) were a strong franchise that won the 1914 Federal League pennant as the Hoosiers behind stars like Benny Kauff, Cy Falkenberg, Charlie Carr, and Bill McKechnie. After moving to Newark in 1915, they continued to field competitive lineups and maintained one of the league’s most balanced teams. Benny Kauff, their superstar outfielder, was often called “the Ty Cobb of the Feds” for his speed, hitting, and flamboyant style.

The Kansas City Packers became one of the Federal League’s gutsiest clubs, playing aggressive baseball behind players like Bill Bradley, Ted Easterly, George Stovall, Chet Chadbourne, and Nick Cullop. They upset several of the league’s top teams and built a passionate Midwest following. Kansas City’s willingness to compete financially helped force MLB to raise salaries league-wide.

The Buffalo Blues (also known as the Buffalo Buffeds) rounded out the league with a roster led by Hal Chase, Gene Krapp, Howard Ehmke, and Tom Downey. Buffalo’s ballpark and branding helped elevate the city's baseball culture during the Federal League’s brief existence, and the Blues delivered memorable performances that kept them competitive against larger-market clubs.

Across the league, the Federal League’s players played with hunger, energy, and a sense of rebellion. Many were former MLB stars seeking better pay, while others were young prospects who seized the opportunity to prove themselves. The league introduced more offensive baseball, innovative managerial tactics, and an exciting environment for fans used to a more conservative MLB product. Its aggressive strategies directly forced MLB to modernize player salaries, improve working conditions, and expand its geographic footprint in the years that followed.

The collapse of the Federal League after the 1915 season led to a number of long-term consequences: several teams were quietly bought out, star players returned to MLB with higher wages, and Joe Tinker’s Chicago club became intertwined with the Chicago Cubs through the lasting architecture of Weeghman Park. The Terrapins’ lawsuit resulted in the landmark Supreme Court decision that granted baseball its unique antitrust protection — a ruling that continues to influence the sport today.

The Royal Retros Federal League Collection brings back the bold typography, early 20th-century branding, and classic monograms of the Whales, Terriers, Terrapins, Rebels, Tip-Tops, Peppers, Packers, and Blues. Each design blends heritage elements with modern materials and streetwear aesthetics, reimagining the look of baseball’s most rebellious league. These uniforms — once worn by outlaw teams attempting to overthrow the baseball establishment — now return as fashion-forward tributes to the players and fans who made the Federal League unforgettable.

The Federal League may have lasted only two seasons as a major league, but its impact still shapes baseball today. The Royal Retros Federal League Collection is the deepest, most accurate, and most visually authentic tribute to this lost league available anywhere, bringing forgotten teams and players back into the spotlight where they belong.