The Burlington franchise was a charter member of the Burlington County League, which was founded on March 11, 1898. Charles Atkinson, a Burlington businessman, put together the original Burlington team of the Burlco League in 1898. The Burlington franchise would participate in the Burlco League for 52 years, until the league disbanded at the start of the 1951 season.

The Rancocas Valley League was founded in 1947 and, like the Burlco League, consisted primarily of teams based in Burlington County. The two leagues coexisted until the Burlco League played its last season. Entering the 1951 season, the RVL consisted of 12 teams and only 5 remained in the Burlco League. The Burlington franchise, co-managed by Wilbur “Reds” McConnell and Danny Keegan, considered playing in both leagues for the 1951 season; however, ultimately joined the RVL.

Burlington played for the championship 11 times in their years in the Burlco League, winning in 1901, 1908, 1913, 1915, and 1946. Burlington also won the RVL championship in 1951, as the Burlington Niagara club defeated Pemberton 3 games to 2 in the best-of-five championship series.

Burlington, however, did not return to the RVL for the 1952 season. Instead, they founded the Burlington City Senior Baseball League which consisted of four teams all based in Burlington. Burlington would not return to the RVL until 1963. During the years from 1952 to 1962, Burlington played in several different leagues, including the Burlington City League, the Delaware River League, and the Philadelphia Suburban League. The Burlington Senior League All-Stars would also play the RVL All-Stars in a few mid-season contests.

Over the years, the Burlington franchise has gone by numerous names and sponsors but, thanks to a wise mouth player, one finally stuck. About half way through the 1964 season, a local newspaper reporter covering the game asked why the Burlington team did not have a nickname. Pitcher Mickey Pedroza, who was the losing pitcher of the game, spouted, “Why don’t you call us the Mets ‘cuz we stink just like they do.” Burlington has been called the Mets ever since. The ugly tuna logo? Well now that's a whole different story....