The Non-Signatory, Independent level league consisted of franchises based exclusively in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts State Association was an eight–team league that permanently folded after playing a partial 1884 season.
Formed for the 1884 season, the Massachusetts State Association began play on May 1, 1884, as an eight–team league, with teams scheduled for one or two games per week.
The Reserves were owned and operated by the Boston Beaneaters of the National League and may have been the first true baseball farm team.
The Massachusetts State Association standings were led by first place Springfield with a 12–5 record, 1.0 games ahead of the second place Boston Reserves (13–8), followed by Holyoke (7–11) and Lawrence (7–15).