The Federal League started in 1913 as a minor league. It was not recognized by the National Association, which was the ruling body for organized baseball and was deemed an "outlaw" league. They stocked their rosters with players who were free agents.

The season started with teams in Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Covington, Kentucky.

The Covington team was relocated in late June to Kansas City.

By the middle of the summer, the major investors of the league decided to become "major league" status for 1914. This would mean adding more teams to the league, expanding to the East coast, and signing players from the major league teams.

During the winter of 1913, the Federal League was able to sign some players formerly from the American and National Leagues. One of the first big names to sign was Joe Tinker. He became player-manager for the Chicago Fed's.