The Central League was a Class C league of minor league baseball that operated in the United States in 1897. Representatives met to organize in Evansville, Indiana, on January 20, 1897. George Simmons was elected president, secretary, and treasurer. While the exact league lineup was not finalized at the meeting, it was resolved that the circuit was to consist of six teams who would pay a $500 deposit to guarantee they would play the entire season, and player salaries were capped at $900 per team. Officials met again on February 7 in Evansville to solidify the league's membership, and franchises were granted to clubs in Cairo, Illinois; Evansville, Terre Haute, and Washington, Indiana; Paducah, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee.