The Griffith family started the league during the 1950s, although they are no longer involved. Like the famous Cape Cod Summer League, the Clark Griffith League gives major league scouts the opportunity to see players playing under major league conditions, which is to say without the aluminum bats so prevalent in college baseball. That alone makes the league attractive to college players, to say nothing of the opportunity to experience Takoma Park. The league played on the Ellipse in D.C. until the early 1960s, when it moved to Northern Virginia. Teams solicit recommendations from college coaches, and then recruit players on their own.
Most teams help the players find housing and work during the two month season.
The Battlecats are currently looking for at least 20 families who would sponsor a player for the season. Admission to the games will be a suggested donation, and the team expects to raise money through concession and souvenir sales. The ten people on the board of the Battlecats have all donated money as well. The league begins play on June 1. Maryland Community Baseball is having a contest to name the team.