The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was a low-level Minor League Baseball organization that operated for the better part of 60 seasons, with teams based in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
After resuming play in 1935, it closed down in 1936, but reformed and had a six-year run from 1937 through 1942, before a break due to World War II.
The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was founded in 1901 with Rock Island, Illinois native Michael H. Sexton serving as the first president.
The Bloomington Blues, Cedar Rapids Rabbitts, Davenport River Rats, Decatur Commodores, Evansville River Rats, Rock Island Islanders, Rockford Red Sox and Terre Haute Hottentots were the charter teams.
[3] The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was inactive during some years of World War I (1918) and World War II (1943–1945), as well as part of the Great Depression (1933-34, 1936), like many minor leagues that were forced to suspend operations or disband during those severe times.
[5] At various times it had teams in such medium-sized cities as Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Bloomington, Decatur, Danville, Peoria, Springfield, Evansville and Terre Haute.
[6] The Kernels finished with a 92–34 record and were led by Russ Nixon and Mudcat Grant.
The final 1961 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League franchises were the Fox Cities Foxes, Burlington Bees, Topeka Reds, Lincoln Chiefs, Cedar Rapids Braves and Des Moines Demons.
Casey Stengel made the following comment in later life, evidently still feeling stung from having been traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves in the 1923–1924 off-season, despite having hit 2 game-winning home runs in the World Series: "It's lucky I didn't hit 3 home runs in three games, or McGraw would have traded me to the 3-I League!"
1910 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League After the previous disappointing season, Cedar Rapids folded.
The team from Waterloo, Iowa left the Central Association to join here.
The Quincy, Illinois team from the Central Association joined the league.
New teams from Springfield, Illinois and Bloomington, Indiana joined the league.
New teams in Hannibal, Missouri and Rock Island, Illinois formed and joined the league.
1919 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League The teams in Alton, Hannibal, Quincy, and Rock Island folded.
They were leading against Des Moines of the Western League 3 games to 1 when the series was canceled due to cold weather.
Decatur beat Terre Haute for the title 4 games to 1, with 1 tie.
Quincy played Canton of the Central League after the season ended and lost 4 games to 2.
Danville went on to play Springfield of the Central League and lead 3 games to 2 when the series was cancelled because of poor attendance.
The Terre Haute, Peoria, Quincy, and Danville teams all folded on July 15, as did the league itself.
Bloomington was declared the winner when Springfield refused to replay protested final game that was upheld by the league president.
1937 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa Leagueschedule Bloomington and Terre Haute disbanded July 3, at the end of the first half.
The league did not play in 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to World War II 1946 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League Playoffs: Davenport defeated Danville in a one game playoff for first place; Evansville 3 games, Davenport 1.
1959 Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League schedule Playoff: Green Bay 3 games, Des Moines 1.