The Eastern International League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1888 season. The league was a Non–Signatory League, with league franchises based in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

and

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

. The Eastern International League succeeded the International Association. The four–team league folded during the 1888 season, with Kingston in having the best overall record.

History

The Eastern International League formed for the 1888 season. The Belleville, Kingston, Oswego Starchboxes and

Watertown Watertown may refer to: Places in China In China, a water town is a type of ancient scenic town known for its waterways. Places in the United States *Watertown, Connecticut, a New England town **Watertown (CDP), Connecticut, the central village ...

teams began play on May 25, 1888 as charter members. Previously, Oswego had played in the 1887 International Association. During the 1888 season, Oswego disbanded on July 4, 1888 after winning the first–half title. On July 30, 1888, the Belleville team transferred to Brockville. Watertown folded on August 10, 1888, causing the league to fold, with only three remaining franchises. Kingston won the second–half title and had the league's best record at 25–17, playing under manager Robert Eilbeck, who also served as league president.

Cities represented

Belleville, ON Belleville is a city in Ontario, Canada situated on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, located at the mouth of the Moira River and on the Bay of Quinte. Belleville is between Ottawa and Toronto, along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. Its population ...

: Belleville *

Brockville, ON Brockville, formerly Elizabethtown, is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Although it is the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, it is politically independent of the county. It is included with Le ...

: Brockville *

Kingston, ON Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Toront ...

: Kingston *

Oswego, NY Oswego () is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 16,921 at the 2020 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in Upstate New York, about 35 miles (55km) northwest of Syracuse. It promotes itself as "The Port Cit ...

: Oswego Starchboxes *

Watertown, NY Watertown is a city in, and the county seat of, Jefferson County, New York, United States. It is approximately south of the Thousand Islands, along the Black River about east of where it flows into Lake Ontario. The city is bordered by the ...

Standings

1888 Eastern International League Oswego disbanded July 4; Belleville transferred to Brockville July 30; Watertown disbanded August 10
Oswego won the first half standings. Kingston won the second half standings
The league disbanded August 15.

References

{{reflist Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States Baseball leagues in New York (state) Defunct baseball leagues in Canada Sports leagues established in 1888 Sports leagues disestablished in 1888