Racine Malted Milks

Racine teams played from 1909 to 1914 as members of the Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League, alternating between being known by the "Malted Milks" and "Belles".

The name change occurred after the Rockford Reds joined the Freeport Pretzels, giving the league two Illinois based teams as members.

[4] The newly formed Racine team joined the Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Giants, Freeport Pretzels, Green Bay Bays, Madison Senators, Oshkosh Indians and Rockford Reds teams in beginning Wisconsin-Illinois League play on May 5, 1909.

The Racine Journal reported that after some disputed calls, "the bleacher crowd became infuriated and made a break toward the umpire, yelling to 'kill him,' 'robber,' 'rotten,' and other things that would not look well in print.

"[17] Immediately after the last out of the game was made, the Racine fans who were involved rushed onto the playing field, reportedly throwing stones, sticks, pieces of dirt and soda bottles at the umpire.

[4] Continuing play in the 1910 eight-team Wisconsin-Illinois League, the Racine Malted Milks ended the season in sixth place, as the team was led by returning manager William Armstrong.

[19][20] The Malted Miles finished with a record of 59–62, ending the season 16.0 games behind the first place Appleton Papermakers in the eitht-team league.

[21][22] The champion Rockford Wolverines team ended the season with a final record of 74–46 and finished 17.0 games ahead of Racine.

[4][23] With Bill Fox becoming the manager, the team became known as the Racine "Belles" and improved to finish in second place in the 1912 Wisconsin-Illinois League standings.

[26] In the eight-team league, the Belles again finished as the runner up to Oshkosh as the team compiled a final record of 72–51, with Bill Fox returning as manager.

[27][4] In 1914, the Racine "Malted Milks" played a final season as members of the eight–team Class C level Wisconsin-Illinois League.

The Bi-State League was formed for the 1915 season with the Aurora Foxes, Elgin Watch Makers, Freeport Pretzels, Ottawa Indians and Streator Boosters teams joined with Racine as charter members in beginning play on May 11, 1915.

They were followed by Elgin Watch Makers (27–26), Aurora Foxes (25–27), Freeport Pretzels (23–29) and Ottawa Indians (20–35) teams in the final standings.

"[17][41][42] On October 1, 1922, after their name change from the Decatur Staleys, the Chicago Bears played their first National Football League under that nickname in a game at Horlick Field, a 6-0 win over the Racine Legion team.