The 1889
Champaign–Urbana Clippers were the first
minor league baseball team in Champaign–Urbana. The Clippers played as members of the
Illinois-Indiana League, managed by F.L. Bliss. The Clippers replaced the
Logansport, Indiana team, which had disbanded. The Champaign–Urbana Clippers record is unknown, but the
Terre Haute, Indiana team won the league pennant. The Illinois–Indiana League became the
Illinois-Iowa League in 1890 and the Champaign–Urbana Clippers did not return to the new league. In 1911, minor league baseball returned when the
Champaign–Urbana Velvets became members of the Class D level
Illinois-Missouri League. The Velvets were joined by the
Clinton Champs,
Pekin Celestials,
Canton Chinks,
Lincoln Abes and
Taylorville Christians in league play. With a record of 66–60, the 1911 Champaign–Urbana Velvets finished in third place in the Illinois–Missouri League, playing under managers Jack Thiery and Fred Donovan. The Velvets finished 6.5 games behind the first place Clinton Champs in the final league standings. The Velvets' third place finish was reflected in the league standings with the Velvets finishing behind the Clinton Champs (74–55), and Pekin Celestials (72–55), with the Velvets ahead of the Canton Chinks (60–62), Lincoln Abes (59–64) and Taylorville Christians (47–82). In 1912, the franchise moved to a ballpark in Champaign, playing as the
Champaign Velvets in the six–team Illinois–Missouri League. Champaign placed fifth in the regular season standings with a record of 53–64, finishing 17.0 games behind the first place
Lincoln Abes. The 1912 Champaign manager was Chuck Fleming. The 1914 Champaign Velvets ended the season with a 62–27 record, finishing 13.0 games ahead of the second place
Ottawa Indians. The Velvets manager was again Blackie Wilson. Champaign was unable to defend their championship, as the Illinois–Missouri League permanently folded after the 1914 season. The Champaign–Urbana next hosted minor league baseball when the 1994
Champaign-Urbana Bandits played the season as members of the independent
Great Central League. ==The ballparks==