The league was organized by Walter S. Brown, a newspaperman with the Cleveland Gazette. Brown served as the league president and secretary, he was also the owner of the Pittsburgh club. On March 14 and 15, 1887, after a series of meetings throughout the winter, team representatives met at the Douglass Institute in Baltimore to finalize the schedule.
Walter S. Brown, a newspaperman who worked for the Cleveland Gazette, organized the league. He held the positions of president and secretary, as well as being the owner of the Pittsburgh club. In March 1887, team representatives met at the Douglass Institute in Baltimore to finalize the schedule after several meetings throughout the winter.