The Southwest Iowa League began minor league play on May 29, 1903, as a Class D level four–team league, under the direction of league president E.H. Whiteside. The Southwest Iowa League was designed to play two separate half seasons for the league standings. The roots of the Southwest Iowa League began at a January 26, 1903 meeting held in
Shenandoah, Iowa. There, a board of directors was established for the desired league. Original plans called for an eight–team league, with clubs to be formed among several interested Iowa towns and two Nebraska cities:
Nebraska City, Nebraska and
Plattsmouth, Nebraska. At the January 26 meeting, it was established that interested cities needed to apply for membership and provide a $100 application fee. On March 25, 1903, the new league was formalized at a meeting held at the Hotel Johnson in
Red Oak, Iowa. The new league was named the "Southwest Iowa League" and E.H. Whiteside, of
Atlantic, Iowa was elected president. At the conclusion of the meeting, four Iowa teams in Atlantic,
Clarinda, Shenandoah and Red Oak were ultimately chosen as the charter member franchises.
Council Bluffs, Iowa and Nebraska City were originally selected for membership, but both backed out when it was decided to disallow playing games on Sunday.
Glenwood, Iowa and
Malvern, Iowa could not raise the application fees.
Creston, Iowa was concerned about the league's $400 monthly salary limit and declined to field a team. The Southwest Iowa League permanently folded after the 1903 season and held no playoffs. On August 28, 1903, Red Oak had failed to appear to play at Atlantic and announced their intention to fold. Umpiring concerns, game protest disputes and financial struggles plagued the league and it permanently folded on August 29, 1903. After the league had folded, the Creston Cyclones and Osceola teams desired to continue play. As a result, the two teams organized and played a winner-take-all post-season series, with a $1,500 purse going to the winner. Osceola defeated Creston in five consecutive games to win the series and the financial purse. ==1903 Southwest Iowa League teams==