Semi-pro and amateur baseball was popular in Monmouth, with early baseball teams playing in various leagues. In 1888, the Monmouth Athletic Association was incorporated and designed to support local baseball efforts. Mommouth first had minor league baseball in 1889. Monmouth fielded a team in the 1889 Central Interstate League, consisting of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa teams, the Burlington Babies, Davenport Hawkeyes, Evansville Hoosiers, Peoria Canaries, Quincy Black Birds and Springfield Senators. In 1890 the Monmouth Maple Cities joined the new Illinois-Iowa League. Monmouth was a charter member, along with the Aurora Hoodoos, Cedar Rapids Blackbirds, Dubuque Giants, Joliet Convicts, Ottawa Pirates, Ottumwa Coal Palaces and Sterling Blue Coats. The league did not allow Sunday games. Monmouth finished 2nd with a 64–48 record in 1890. However, Monmouth folded after the 1890 season and was replaced in the eight-team league by the Quincy Ravens in 1891. In 1908, the Monmouth Browns were founded. The Browns joined the newly formed Class D Illinois-Missouri League. Monmouth Mayor John S. Brown was instrumental in the forming of the Illinois-Missouri League and the Monmouth team moniker was in honor of him. The Monmouth Browns finished 55–62 in the 1908 Illinois Missouri League, managed by Robert Hyde and Charles Karnell. Other charter members of the 1908 six–team league were the Canton Chinks , Galesburg Hornets, Hannibal Cannibals, Havana Perfectors and Macomb Potters. The Monmouth Browns captured the 1909 Illinois-Missouri League Championship. Managed by Jack Corbett, the Monmouth Brownd finished 1st with a 77–50 record. The league had no playoffs following the regular seasons. Monmouth left the league after winning the championship. Monmouth drew 23,000 for the season, 362 per game. In 1910, the Monmouth Browns joined the eight-teamCentral Association. Monmouth finished 62–72 in 1910, playing alongside the Burlington Pathfinders, Galesburg Pavers, Hannibal Cannibals, Keokuk Indians, Kewanee Boilermakers, Ottumwa Packers and Quincy Vets. Monmouth was managed by Lew Drill in 1910. The 1910 season attendance for the Monmouth Browns was 25,000. Monmouth finished 59–69, 6th place, in the 1911 Central Association, managed by Claude Stark. The Browns were 71–55 in 1912 with managers Bert Hough, Jack Corbett and R. L. Noven. Monmouth drew 18,000 in 1912, an average of 286 per game. The Monmouth Browns finished in 3rd place with a 64–62 record in 1913 under Manager Bert Hough. The Monmouth franchise folded after the 1913 season. Minor league baseball has not returned to Monmouth.
The ballparks
The Monmouth Browns played at 11th Street Park from 1908–1913. The ballpark was built by the city of Monmouth in 1907, spearheaded by Mayor John S. Brown. The ballpark was located in the 700 block of 11th Street, along the rail line. Today, the site houses the Birchwoood Apartments.
