[swampdragon]

I ran over to paper of record to check out old copies of the Sporting News. In 1901, you had, in addition to the two major leagues, about a dozen minor leagues significant enough to have their box scores listed. The three AAA leagues all formed sometime in the 19th century under different names. The Western Association, the Eastern League, and the California League eventually formed the core of the American Association, the International League, and the Pacific Coast League respectively. There was also a Western League, a Southern League/Association with 12 teams in 1893, a Connecticut League, the Three I League, and others. I don't know the dates all these were actually formed, but since we can't add and delete leagues I guess it's not important.