OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - A National League Divided: The National Association 1876-

Haystacks · 10-10-2025, 02:33 PM

Providence Club Withdraws from the National Association

The Providence Journal, November 11, 1882

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The once-proud Providence Base Ball Club, commonly known to enthusiasts as the Grays, has this week formally tendered its resignation to the National Association of Professional Base Ball Clubs, ceasing operations and disbanding its organization entirely.

The announcement brings to an end seven seasons of professional base ball in this city. A charter member of the Eastern League in 1876, winning the inaugural pennant, for that brief moment Providence stood as the pride of New England’s base ball circuit.

The revelations of last autumn’s gambling scandal struck a grievous blow to public confidence, from which the club never recovered. Attendance, once steadily growing, dwindled to a fraction of its former strength, and the club’s treasury, drastically weakened, could no longer sustain the expense of a professional side.

Owner Mr. Henry Nelson, who has been absent from active management since the scandal’s uncovering, issued a short statement yesterday evening:

“It grieves me deeply to close the book on the Providence Base Ball Club. The people of this city deserved better from their former pennant winners off and on the field. I cannot blame our patrons for turning their back on our club.”

The club’s ball-ground on Messer Street have been closed and the few remaining assets placed in trust pending sale. Players still under contract will be released to sign elsewhere by consent of the National Association’s board of executives.

It is understood that while some in the city hold out faint hope for the revival of professional base ball in Providence, there are at present no credible investors willing to take on the burden.

The Providence Grays leave behind a record of 256 victories and 277 defeats, and one Eastern League pennant (1876). Their loss will be felt not only in Rhode Island, but throughout the base ball fraternity.

10-10-2025, 02:33 PM	#16
Haystacks Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 170	Providence Folds Providence Club Withdraws from the National Association The Providence Journal, November 11, 1882 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The once-proud Providence Base Ball Club, commonly known to enthusiasts as the Grays, has this week formally tendered its resignation to the National Association of Professional Base Ball Clubs, ceasing operations and disbanding its organization entirely. The announcement brings to an end seven seasons of professional base ball in this city. A charter member of the Eastern League in 1876, winning the inaugural pennant, for that brief moment Providence stood as the pride of New England’s base ball circuit. The revelations of last autumn’s gambling scandal struck a grievous blow to public confidence, from which the club never recovered. Attendance, once steadily growing, dwindled to a fraction of its former strength, and the club’s treasury, drastically weakened, could no longer sustain the expense of a professional side. Owner Mr. Henry Nelson, who has been absent from active management since the scandal’s uncovering, issued a short statement yesterday evening: “It grieves me deeply to close the book on the Providence Base Ball Club. The people of this city deserved better from their former pennant winners off and on the field. I cannot blame our patrons for turning their back on our club.” The club’s ball-ground on Messer Street have been closed and the few remaining assets placed in trust pending sale. Players still under contract will be released to sign elsewhere by consent of the National Association’s board of executives. It is understood that while some in the city hold out faint hope for the revival of professional base ball in Providence, there are at present no credible investors willing to take on the burden. The Providence Grays leave behind a record of 256 victories and 277 defeats, and one Eastern League pennant (1876). Their loss will be felt not only in Rhode Island, but throughout the base ball fraternity.