Minor league baseball in Emporia, Kansas began during the 1887 season, as Emporia teams played in two leagues. The
Emporia Reds began play in tow leagues, First, the Reds began the season as members of the 1887 four–team
Independent level
Kansas State League, which expanded to six teams before folding. On August 8, 1887, Emporia had a record of 17–25 when the league folded. The Reds were in third place, playing under manager Downing when the league folded. Emporia finished 6.5 games behind the first place
Wellington Browns in the final standings. The
Emporia team continued in 1887 and played briefly as members of the ten–team
Independent level
Western League. Joining the league during the season, Emporia had a 6–12 record under manager Benjamin F. Sullivan when the team folded on September 9, 1887. In 1895, Emporia resumed minor league play, when the
Emporia Maroons played as members of the four–team
Class D level
Kansas State League. Ending the season with a record of 16–15, the Maroons finished the season in second place, playing the season under manager J.R. Soden. Emporia finished 2.0 games behind the first place Troy Browns in the final standings.
George Haddock of Emporia led the Kansas State League with 8 wins. The Emporia franchise did not return to the 1896 Kansas State League. In 1914, the
Emporia Bidwells resumed play reformed four–team
Class D level
Kansas State League. Emporia joined the
Great Bend Millers, Hutchinson Salt Packers and
Salina Coyotes as 1914 league members. Named after their manager the 1914, Bidwells won the League championship. Beginning league play on May 14, 1914, Emporia finished the season with a record of 54–32, placing first in the final standings, playing under manager and namesake Ira Bidwell. The Emporia Bidwells finished 6.0 games ahead of the second place Salina Coyotes in the final standings. Pete LaFlambois of the Emporia Bidwells led the league in batting average, hitting .342, while teammates
Otis Lambeth and Ralph Shimeal led the league with 14 wins. The Kansas State League permanently folded following the 1914 season. Playing as members of the 1924 eight-team Class D level
Southwestern League, the Emporia "Traders" played the final minor league season in Emporia. The Emporia Traders ended the season with a record of 40–89 to place sixth in the final standings. Playing under managers Tom Mason,
Hunky Shaw, Pat Mason and Ole Olson, Emporia finished 39.0 games behind the first place
Newton Railroaders in the final Southwestern League standings. The Emporia franchise did not return to play in the 1925 Southwestern League. ==The ballparks==