Belleville Stags Vintage Base Ball Club

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Belleville Stags Vintage Base Ball Club The Belleville Stags play base ball by the rules of 1860, recreating the game's formative years with historically accurate uniforms, equipment and jargon.

The mission and purpose of the Belleville Stags Vintage Base Ball Club is to preserve, perpetuate and promote the game of base ball as it was played during its formative years in the 19th century. Playing by rules drafted in "Beadle's Dime Base Ball Player," 1860, the basics of the vintage game make it recognizable as our nation's pastime. But it won't take more than a half an inning for cranks (that's the 19th century term for "fans") to notice differences both subtle and obvious. The bases remain 90 feet apart, but you won't find dirt infields during matches played with historic accuracy. Vintage Base Ball (yes, it's two words) was played in open pastures with ground rules that fit the terrain. The hurler (pitcher) makes a gentlemanly point to deliver the ball to the liking of the striker (batter). The striker is out if a struck ball is caught on a fly or on a single bound (bounce). A struck ball is determined to be fair or foul based on where it first hits the ground. There are no walks and, really, no umpire, just an official arbiter who intervenes only when the ballists can't agree on the proper call. A major difference between modern baseball and vintage base ball is in the equipment. The balls are made from wool twine encased in a single piece of leather stitched in an "x" across the middle so that it resembles a lemon peel. The bats are similar to modern wooden bats, apart from the imperfections of hand-scraped woods and, frequently, painted decorations. As for baseball gloves? Well, there are none. They weren't used until the late 1870s and were not commonly used until the 1880s. The 1860 ballist did it bare handed, and so do we. The Belleville Stags began their inaugural season on April 14, 2012 at its home field behind the Belleville Swansea Moose Lodge off South IL-159, right next to the Swansea Metro Link Station. "Huzzah!"

29/07/2026

Huzzah Otter, well done!

Vermillion County Voles brought in their secret weapon, Bug, however the damage was already done…Stags prevail 9-1. Than...
25/07/2026

Vermillion County Voles brought in their secret weapon, Bug, however the damage was already done…Stags prevail 9-1.

Thanks to umpires Papa & Southpaw for fairly calling today’s matches. A tip of our caps and sincere appreciation to the St. Louis Brown Stockings on coordinating the 12th STL Cup!

Come to Moose Meadow (Belleville/ Swansea Moose Lodge 1221) for a round robin tomorrow. Matches scheduled:

10 AM - Stags vs Indianapolis Blues
11:30 - Indianapolis Blues vs Tennessee Hog & Hominy Picked 9
1 PM stags vs Tennessee

Despite a valiant rally, the Stags lose to a fine group of gentlemen, the Milwaukee Cream Cities. Huzzah!
25/07/2026

Despite a valiant rally, the Stags lose to a fine group of gentlemen, the Milwaukee Cream Cities. Huzzah!

This Saturday is a great day to see a lot of 1860's Vintage Baseball at Forest Park.Or come to Moose Meadow (Swansea Moo...
23/07/2026

This Saturday is a great day to see a lot of 1860's Vintage Baseball at Forest Park.

Or come to Moose Meadow (Swansea Moose Lodge) this Sunday. We'll be hosting the Indianapolis Blues and the Hog & Hominy Pick 9 for a few matches.

10 a.m. - Stags vs. Blues
11:30 - Blues vs. Hog & Hominey
1 p.m. - Stags v. Hog & Hominey

The 12th Annual St. Louis Cup at Forest Park is this Saturday. We will be playing baseball ball the way it was played in 1860. We have 12 teams from 5 states this year playing on 4 fields. As always the event is free and family friendly. More details can be found here: http://stlbrownstockings.com/stlouiscup.aspx

St Louis Brown Stockings & the Lafayette Square Cyclone join your Belleville Stags for a Round Robin! Saturday April 12...
05/04/2025

St Louis Brown Stockings & the Lafayette Square Cyclone join your Belleville Stags for a Round Robin! Saturday April 12th, 12 noon start at Moose Meadow in Swansea. Bring a chair, or, a blanket and enjoy an afternoon of 1860 base ball!

15/03/2025

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dudes and dudettes ... The Good Will Match scheduled for today is in a 168-hour rain delay. We'll see you all at Moose Meadow NEXT SATURDAY, March 22 at noon!

To celebrate the arrival of the Stags' 13th season with Saturday's annual Good Will Match, we bring to you this Vintage ...
10/03/2025

To celebrate the arrival of the Stags' 13th season with Saturday's annual Good Will Match, we bring to you this Vintage Base Ball Verse ...

At Moose Meadow, where the Stags do play,
The thirteenth season's underway.
Captain Dutch leads his merry band,
With Rooster crowing across the land.

Stir Fry sizzles on the field,
While Monk's prayers are never concealed.
Horsepower and the Buffalo Herd,
Their strength and speed have long been heard.

Bean and Beans, a double threat,
Danger lurks, opponents' regret.
The Earl of Dookie, regal and bold,
Adds flair to this vintage base ball fold.

Lafayette Square Cyclones come to town,
With Windbag's chatter all around.
Zunie and C'mon Mamma, a dynamic pair,
Ice Wagon swings, without a care.

St. Louis Brown Stockings join the fray,
Lightning strikes on this fine day.
Crakin's back is always poppin',
As Book Worm's knowledge keeps 'em hoppin'.

Springcatur Squirrely Nine arrive with glee,
Wheels and his crew, a sight to see.
The Stags, they battle with all their might,
Then fellowship ensues to last all night.

When the dust settles on the field,
To thirst they finally do yield.
With mugs of beer raised high in cheer,
The Stags toast to their thirteenth year!

Perfect weather for a pair of 1860 matches with our friends from the St. Louis Brown Stockings. Don’t miss the 11 AM li...
10/08/2024

Perfect weather for a pair of 1860 matches with our friends from the St. Louis Brown Stockings. Don’t miss the 11 AM line up & team introductions, bring a lawn chair and root for your favorite player…Huzzah!

28/07/2024

GREAT day of base ball today at the St. Louis Cup. The Stags won one and lost a couple of well-played matches against two fine clubs. Thanks to the Cincinnati Buckeyes, McLean County Prairie Chickens and Memphis Blues for making the trip and sharing the pitch with us. Also to Super D, Chatterbox and the other fella in his sartorial finest who umpired. Last, but certainly not least, to Lightning and Thunder Wicker and all our friends with the St. Louis Brown Stockings, who have made this an outstanding annual event. Huzzah! to all!

If you see this guy out and about today -- hunting and pecking, cock-a-doodle-doodling, molting, cowering from a fight o...
16/01/2024

If you see this guy out and about today -- hunting and pecking, cock-a-doodle-doodling, molting, cowering from a fight or trying to cross the road -- be sure to wish him a happy birthday. Paul Mentzer is the finest feathered friend and teammate a bunch of Stags could have!

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