Baltimore's entry in the Federal League marked the return to the top level of baseball to the charm city. All of Baltimore previous professional baseball teams had used the name Orioles, after the state bird of Maryland.

However, the name Baltimore Orioles was being used by a Minor League team in the Eastern League. The Terrapins were owned by Ned Hanlon, who managed the Orioles team that won three National League Pennants in the 1890's.

Hanlon also once owned the Minor League Orioles, after the Baltimore Orioles of the American League became the New York Highlanders. The Baltimore Terrapins managed by Otto Knabe opened the season with a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Buffeds.

With pitchers Jack Quinn and George Suggs leading the way the Terrapins played strong early. Leading the FL through most of May.

The Terrapins would struggle in June, and lost their grip on first place, but remained in the pennant race all season, posting a record of 84-70 and placing third, just four and half games behind the pennant winning Indianapolis Hoosiers. The presence of the Terrapins would negatively affect the Minor League Orioles, as they were forced to sell a local product named George Herman Ruth to the Boston Red Sox of the American League.