Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the lowest rung on the North American minor-league ladder.

MLB teams needed an entry level to professional baseball for 18- and 19-year-old players graduating from high schools or signed from Latin America.

The SRL's four teams consisted of squads sponsored by the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Braves, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.

The SRL Braves, managed by Paul Snyder, future Atlanta farm system director, won the championship with a 36–23 record.

The 1907 founding members were the Alexandria White Sox, Lafayette Browns, Lake Charles Creoles, Monroe Municipals, Opelousas Indians and Orange Hoo-Hoos.

The league featured the Beeville Bees/Laredo Oilers (59–41), Corpus Christi Seahawks (43–58), Kingsville Jerseys/McAllen Palms/Mission Grapefruiters (46–52) and Victoria Rosebuds/Edinburg Bobcats (51–48) teams.

[5][6] The 1950–1953 version of the Gulf Coast League featured the Brownsville Charros, Corpus Christi Aces, Galveston White Caps, Harlingen Capitals, Lake Charles Lakers, Laredo Apaches, Port Arthur Seahawks and Texas City Texans.

Following the relocation of the Atlanta Braves spring training complex in 2019, teams in the league were divided into three divisions: East, North, and South (down from four in 2018).

After the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals each fielded two teams as late as 1981, no franchise did so until the New York Yankees in 2013.