It drew much of its personnel from the disbanded Keystones and from the New Orleans Crescent Stars, an independent southern team.

Hall of Fame outfielder Pete Hill, 40, was asked by Rube Foster to manage the team, and remaining roster spots were filled from tryouts held in Chicago in April, and by castoffs from other teams.

With limited financing and an inexperienced ownership, the team quickly fell out of the running in the league.

Primarily due to poor home attendance at Athletic Park (later known as Borchert Field), the club played most of its games on the road, and finished in last place with a 12–41 record in league play, disbanding after the season.

In 2006, the Milwaukee Brewers wore Bears throwback uniforms in games against the Washington Nationals (at Miller Park) and Kansas City Royals (on the road) as part of a tribute to the Negro leagues.