League Schedule Of Legends
Vanina Mazzillo
The Negro Leagues and African-American baseball at large often rivaled the Major Leagues, both at the gates and in the national consciousness, in the first half of the 20th century. But those leagues were created out of an unfortunate necessity; the color line, instituted in white, organized baseball in the late 1800s, forced many of America's most talented ballplayers to write their legends outside the Majors. Jackie Robinson broke that barrier when he debuted with the Dodgers in 1947, but it would take another 24 years -- and a public plea from Ted Williams -- for the Hall to induct its first Negro League star.
Below is a rundown of each of the 35 Negro Leagues stars enshrined in Cooperstown, featuring a mix of players and influential executives elected by various committees over the last five decades. The inductees are listed in chronological order, beginning with Satchel Paige's landmark election to the Class of 1971.
A man remembered even more for the awestruck stories he inspired than his statistics, Paige was named by many who saw him -- black and white -- as the greatest pitcher who ever lived. Paige was known as the ultimate showman as he barnstormed hundreds of games per year and dazzled scores of fans. He finally got his Major League shot at age 42, when he helped the Indians capture the 1948 pennant. Even in advanced age, Paige still befuddled many a big league hitter. More >
Santop was famous for tape-measure blasts and sky-high batting averages in the pre-Negro Leagues, known as the Dead Ball Era. He was flashy, known for calling his shots years before Babe Ruth did, and his combination of skill and showmanship made him one of the early drawing cards in African-American baseball. In 1917, Santop collected six hits off Major League All-Stars Chief Bender and Bullet Joe Bush in an exhibition series. Three years later, he outhit the Babe in an offseason matchup between the Yankees and Hilldale Daisies.
On December 13, 2019, the league announced that it would not be holding a 2020 season[2] and that it had instead restructured under its current name, placing new teams mostly in the same locations as the 2019 LFL season.[3] The league also did not operate during 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The X League's eight-team 2022 season spanned June to September, concluding with the restructured league's inaugural championship, the X Cup, won by the Chicago Blitz.
Since 2021, the league is owned by Mike Ditka,[4] a former National Football League (NFL) player and an inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[5] Samantha Gordon was also named an owner in May 2022.[6]
In 2009, league chairman Mitch Mortaza expanded the concept from a single annual exhibition game to a ten-team league, branded as the Lingerie Football League, or LFL. The league operated on a similar schedule to the National Football League (NFL), playing in fall and winter and played most of its games indoors with similar rules to indoor football. Many of the teams were coached by former NFL players and coaches who were already well known in their respective cities. Many of the LFL players had a background in other competitive athletics at the college and semiprofessional level, as well as some experience in tackle football from playing in other semiprofessional leagues.[8]
The initial uniforms consisted of shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee pads, performance wear, and ice hockey-style helmets with clear plastic visors in lieu of face masks. The original uniforms of the Lingerie Football League consisted of an athletic bra and underwear that were more revealing than protective, as well as added lace, ribbons, and garters as decoration. While these uniforms were routinely criticized by media, players' reactions were typically mixed on the use of the uniforms, comparing the similarities in coverage to track and field uniforms or beach volleyball bikinis.[8]
After three seasons, the league announced it was adding a companion league in Canada that began play in August 2012. It then pushed back the US season to 2013 on a spring and summer schedule, mirroring other indoor football leagues.[9]
During the hiatus, the league announced it would change its name to the Legends Football League, retaining the LFL initials, on January 10, 2013. The league also announced that the athletes would wear "performance apparel" instead of lingerie, but the uniforms look very much the same as before.[10] In addition to the new uniforms, redesigned shoulder pads were introduced to provide more protection for players. Other league changes included eliminating images of sexy women from team logos and changing the league tagline from "True Fantasy Football" to "Women of the Gridiron".[1] Along with the rebrand of the league in 2013, the league also began changing the uniforms as the originals were too heavy on sex appeal, initially dropping the ribbons and garters. The league designed new ones for the 2014 season closer to more traditional activewear, resembling uniforms similar to volleyball players, replacing the ribbons with shoelaces on the front of the top and bottom.[10]
The LFL then began looking into a Latin American league with six franchises throughout Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.[11] On September 16, 2013, the LFL postponed the entire 2013 LFL Canada season until 2014 with plans to merge the US, Canada, and Mexico teams into a single league called LFL North America.[12][13]
The LFL announced new uniforms with new colors for the 2016 season. Numbers and logos were printed on the uniform as opposed to previously being sewn on. In addition, the league also announced that teams would have a choice of camouflage or black alternates.[18] In 2017, the league also added a long pants uniform in lieu of the regular bikini bottom for the final home games.[19]
On December 13, 2019, the league announced that it would not be producing a 2020 season and would re-evaluate markets in the future.[2] Four days later, the LFL was restructured into the Extreme Football League, which was announced to begin play in April 2020.[20] The league size remained at eight teams, which initially were all in the same markets as the former LFL teams, but under new team identities.[3][21] The Nashville Knights were the only team listed in the X League announcement to not change names, but they were replaced by the Kansas City Force in January 2020.[22] As part of the league restructuring, it began offering ownership stakes to its players and coaches based on the individuals contributions and commitment to the organization, as well as revenue distribution program for merchandise featuring an individual player's likeness.[23][24] The league also said it was to use 70-yard fields in a press release, although this was never implemented. The league implements a new uniform with full pads.[25]
The league's first season was postponed to a scheduled start in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26] In May, it had been announced that it was postponed again to April 2021.[27] During the hiatus, the league announced Mike Ditka had been named owner and chairman of the league,[28][29] with plans on expanding into 24 US markets.[30] The season was ultimately cancelled on May 18, 2021, pushing the league's relaunch to the summer of 2022 due to the pandemic.[31]
The 2022 season began on June 10 with the Chicago Blitz facing the Kansas City Force.[32] After a nine-week regular season with a total of seven games, four teams advanced to the playoffs, with the Blitz capturing the first X Cup title on September 10 when they defeated the Atlanta Empire.[33]
The league did not announce plans for a 2023 season and later updated their website with plans to announce a 2024 schedule in October 2023.[34][35] This was later updated again to indicate a 2025 schedule, to be announced October 15, 2024[36]
Playing style is full-contact and similar to other indoor football leagues. There are seven players from each team on the field during play. The field is 50 yards between end zones, 30 yards wide, and the end zones are 8 yards deep, roughly the same as other indoor leagues. Many fields are just over 28 yards wide, as games are often played in converted National Hockey League-sized rinks (85 feet wide), with the plexiglass removed, dasher boards padded, and ice surfaces covered with artificial turf.[37]
There are no kickoffs, except the option for an on-side kick should the game be close near the end, nor field goals; halves and after scores begin on team's own 15-yard line.[38] Kicking off after every scoring drive was added before the 2013 Pacific Cup, but was removed shortly after the first game of the LFL Australia season. A team must attempt to get a first down on every fourth down, or they risk a turnover. After a touchdown, a team can attempt a one-point conversion from the one-yard line, or a two-point conversion from the three-yard line. Since 2015, teams are given the option to punt if within their own 10 yard line; the ball is placed on the 15 or wherever it went out of bounds if the punt is not returned.[39]
A game consists of four ten-minute quarters and a 12-minute halftime (30-minute halftime in championship). In the event of a tie, an extra 8 minute sudden death period is played; whoever scores first wins the game. If still tied, the game ends as a draw, and counts as tie for both teams in the standings. In postseason games, multiple 10-minute sudden deathovertime periods are played until one team scores, which wins the game and advances to the next round or wins the championship. Teams get two timeouts per half or overtime period.[39]
The league was met with criticism throughout its existence. Critics say the league degrades female athletes through "pernicious objectification".[40] The uniforms received extensive criticism for their revealing nature. In an ESPN article, Sarah Spain, the co-host of espnW, wrote, "After watching these women play, I can honestly say I respect the heck out of them as athletes, but I'll still never respect the Lingerie Football League, no matter what name they give it."[41]
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