Champaign Velvets

The Champaign Velvets was the primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Champaign, Illinois and neighboring Urbana, Illinois. Champaign and Urbana teams played as members of the Illinois-Indiana League (1889) and Class D Illinois-Missouri League from 1911–1914.

Champaign Velvets
1889–1914
(1889, 1911–1914)
Champaign, Illinois
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass D (1911–1914)
Previous leagues
Illinois-Indiana League (1889)
Illinois-Missouri League (1911–1914)
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsNone
Minor league titles
League titles 1 1914
Team data
Previous names
Champaign-Urbana Clippers (1889)
Champaign-Urbana Velvets (1911)
Champaign Velvets (1912–1914)
Previous parks
East Urbana (1911)
West Champaign (1912–1914)

History

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 a Logansport, Indiana team which had disbanded. The team overall record is unknown, but a team from Terre Haute, Indiana won the league pennant. The league became the Illinois-Iowa League in 1890 and the Clippers did not return to the new league.[1][2]

In 1911, the Champaign-Urbana Velvets, became members of the Class D Illinois-Missouri League. With a record of 66–60, the Velvets finished 3rd in the Illinois–Missouri League under Managers Jack Thiery and Fred Donovan. The Velvets played home games in east Urbana. The Velvets' 3rd-place finish was reflected in the league standings with the Clinton Champs 74–55, Pekin Celestials 72–55, Champaign-Urbana Velvets 66–60, Canton Chinks 60–62, Lincoln Abes 59–64 and Taylorville Christians 47–82.[3][4][5][6] [7][8]

It is likely the team moniker derived from a popular beer at the time, called Champaign Velvet, brewed by the Terre Haute Brewing Company.[9][10]

The franchise moved from Urbana to a ballpark in Champaign, playing 1912 as the Champaign Velvets in the Illinois–Missouri League. Champaign finished 5th in the regular season standings with a record of 53–64. The 1912 Manager was Chuck Fleming.[11][12][13][6][7][14]

The 1913 Champaign Velvets were 2nd in the Illinois–Missouri League final standings, 5.0 games behind the Champion Lincoln Abes. The Velvets had a 53–32 record under Manager Blackie Wilson.[5][15][16][6][17]

The 1914 Champaign Velvets were the Illinois–Missouri League Champions in the final season of the Illinois–Missouri League. The Champaign Velvets finished 62–27, 13.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Ottawa Indians. The Velvets Manager was Blackie Wilson. Champaign was unable to defend their championship, as the Illinois–Missouri League permanently folded after the 1914 season.[5][18][19][6][20]

The franchise had financial challenges typical of minor league baseball in the era. Ironically, given the team moniker, alcohol was banned from being sold in Champaign and the team abided by the law, which affected revenues. Tickets were $0.25 and every Wednesday home game was "Ladies Day."[21]

Champaign Velvet Beer

The ballparks

Although the exact location and name is unknown, the 1911 Champaign-Urbana Velvets were noted to have played at a ballpark in east Urbana.[21][22]

The exact location and name is unknown, but the Champaign Velvets reportedly played at a ballpark on the west side of Champaign in 1912–1914.[21][22]

Notable alumni

Year-by-year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
188900–00NAF.L. Blissrecord unknown
191166–603rdJack Thiery/Fred DonovanNone
191253–644thChuck FlemingNone
191353–322ndFred "Blackie" WilsonNone
191462–271stFred "Blackie" WilsonLeague Champions
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References
  1. "Champaign-Urbana Clippers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "Two-I League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "1911 Champaign-Urbana Velvets Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1911 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "Champaign Velvets - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Illinois-Missouri League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  7. "Illinois-Missouri League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1911 Champaign-Urbana Velvets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "Champagne Velvet: the Cheap Beer With a "Million Dollar Flavor"".
  10. "Champagne Velvet". June 22, 2017.
  11. "1912 Champaign-Urbana Velvets Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1912 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "Champaign-Urbana Velvets - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. "1912 Champaign Velvets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "1913 Champaign-Urbana Velvets Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "1913 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. "1913 Champaign Velvets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. "1914 Champaign-Urbana Velvets Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  19. "1914 Illinois-Missouri League (IIL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  20. "1914 Champaign Velvets Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. tkacich@news-gazette.com, Tom Kacich. "Tom Kacich: C-U's minor flirtation with pro baseball". The News-Gazette.
  22. "Unknown in Champaign, IL history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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