aagpbl racine belles team photo

Racine Belles: History and Fun Facts

The Racine Belles is a historical women's baseball team that was formed in 1943. The team is based in Racine, Wisconsin, and has been a part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) since its inception. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of the Racine Belles and some fun facts about the team!

History of Racine Belles

The Racine Belles was founded in 1943 as part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The team was based in Racine, Wisconsin, and played its home games at Horlick Field. The team was owned by William J. Collins and managed by Johnny Gottselig. The Racine Belles was one of the founding teams of the AAGPBL and were one of the most successful teams in the league, winning four league championships.

Fun Facts About Racine Belles

  • The Racine Belles was featured in the 1992 film A League of Their Own, which was based on the real-life history of the AAGPBL.
  • The Racine Belles have their signature dish, the Racine Belle Burger, a burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and onion rings.
  • The team's mascot is a French bulldog named Rascal.
  • Racine, Wisconsin, is known as the "Birthplace of Kringle" and is home to the Racine Danish Kringle Festival.

Why Were They Called the Racine Belles?

The team was named after the city of Racine, which is French for "root." The team's logo is a green clover with the word "Racine" in white. The team was believed to be named after Racine's belles (beautiful women).

How Can I Learn More About the Racine Belles?

If you're interested in learning more about the Racine Belles, there are a few resources you can check out. The Racine Public Library has a Racine Belle exhibit that is open to the public. You can also visit the website of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which has a section dedicated to the history of the league and its teams. Finally, you can check out the Racine Belles Facebook page, which contains photos and stories about the team. 

Love the Racine Belles? Check out our Racine Belles apparel and shirts here!