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Baseball League 1897
First Division Final Table

Promotion and relegation between the two Divisions was again decided by a series of Test Matches, but there was a change of format from that used in the previous three seasons. The top two clubs in the Second Division and the bottom two in First Division met in an abbreviated “second season”. Each club played eight matches: two home and two away matches against each of the two sides from the other division. At the conclusion of the matches, the first and second sides in the second season league will play in the First Division, and the third and fourth sides in the Second Division.

Following the end of the Test Series it was agreed that each division would increase by two places. This was achieved by two more clubs moving from the Second to First Divisions and four new places being added to the Second Division. A vote was taken to decide which additional two clubs would move to the First Division. Voting (with number of votes):

27      Wolverhampton     Voted into First Division
18	Grimsby Town	  Voted into First Division
10	Liverpool	  Remain in Second Division
4	Walsall	          Remain in Second Division
3	Sheffield United  Remain in Second Division
2	Doncaster	  Remain in Second Division

So as a result of the changes all four clubs who played in the Test Series secured a place in the First Division for 1898.