Lafayette played as a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians in 1955 and Boston Red Sox in 1956 and 1957.
The Lafayette Maroons were members of the six–team Class D level Northern State of Indiana League.
The Bluffton Babes, Huntington Johnnies, Kokomo Wild Cats, Marion Boosters and Wabash Whitecaps joined Lafayette in league play.
[6][7][8][3] The Lafayette Farmers continued play in 1911, as the Northern State of Indiana League folded during the season.
[11] The Lafayette Chiefs became members of the eight–team Class D level Mississippi–Ohio Valley League, joining the Clinton Pirates, Decatur Commodores, Dubuque Packers, Hannibal Citizens, Kokomo Giants, Mattoon Indians and Paris Lakers in league play.
The Clinton Pirates, Decatur Commodores, Dubuque Packers, Kokomo Dodgers, Mattoon Phillies, Michigan City White Caps and Paris Lakers were the other Midwest League charter members.
The Lafayette Red Sox placed second in the initial Midwest League standings with a 69–56 record, playing under manager Len Okrie.
[15][16][3] In their final season of play, the 1957 Lafayette Red Sox did not qualify for the Midwest League playoffs.
In this era, teams held spring training at cities in their region because of restrictions in place due to World War II.