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 (t
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
25/11/2023
A gentleman of the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball first, but a Belleville Stag a distant second. We felt like he was one of us and will miss his friendship. RIP Uncle Jesse. You're the best this game -- vintage or otherwise -- had to offer. Thank you for showing us the way.
27/09/2023
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
Vintage Base Ball Game (12:30 to 4 p.m.) Winston Brown Recreation Complex, 1325 Schiller Avenue, Edwardsville. The Belleville Stags will battle the Lafayette Square Cyclone BBC in a game of “base ball,” played using the rules established in 1860 when “swearing, spitting and sliding” were considered taboo. Children are invited to batting practice 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. ($5 donation suggested). Concessions available. Free admission. Part of the Madison County Historical Society Living History Days Festival - madcohistory.org
18/09/2023
Horsepower signs his first autograph.
Entertainment between rounds.
17/09/2023
Scrap Iron came to French Lick to drink beer from a boot and play ball. Stags ain’t playing ball right now.