This earliest form of the sport originated just as the nation was enveloped in a Civil War, which undoubtedly had a considerable effect on those involved.  Many Americans had very opposing views on the prominent issues of the day, including that of slavery.  Baseball created a diversion for society and, based on its popularity, made a place for itself on the American landscape.  In the beginning, the Waterloo version of professional baseball consisted of a league of six high scoring teams that was formed in the 1860s.  These teams consisted of local players who met at the baseball diamonds of Waterloo and played for a purse of $100 to be split among them.  In an early manuscript by Steven Maravitz entitled “A Love Affair With The Bush Leagues,” the author describes a league including the Empires, Old Cedars, Sweepstakes, Hawkeyes, Black Hawks and Stars.  Obviously, the mere nicknames of these teams reflected the culture of the day.  For instance, if one was to pick up any periodical in the nineteenth century (or for that matter even the present day) he or she would be more than likely to come across some sweepstakes guaranteeing a winning lifestyle, which likely was intended to be the epitome of the club with the same namesake.

     Unfortunately, these earliest organizations did not live up to their billing, as they soon ventured into playing teams from around the state and summarily suffering in their efforts. On one occasion, described by Maravitz as the first foray into inter-city play, the Empires were humiliated by a superior team from Marshalltown by a score of 76-29!²  How this score was obtained is beyond imagination, but quite obviously the boys from the Cedar Valley were in need of some radical improvement if they intended to compete with teams from around Iowa.
 
     Following closely the path laid by the 1860's version of pro ball was the Waterloo Lulus.  The squad played their games at Waterloo Baseball Park. This stadium was located at West Mullan and Commercial Streets and is presently the home of the Westfield Avenue site of John Deere.  The location was crucial because it serves as a type of meeting point for residents of eastern and western Waterloo but also was convenient for the residents of Cedar Falls.   Following the destruction of Waterloo Baseball Park, the area became the site of the notable Twin Torch Inn, which provided room and board for the visitors of the workers of the Waterloo Car Carriage Factory located nearby.³