We had to keep this under our belt

Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park in the United States, is anticipating the 2024 Field of Dreams, Rickwood Classic games. The Director of Friends of Rickwood  Field, commenting on plans for the MLB Cardinals and Giants to play a game there next summer, said:  “ We had to keep this under our belt. “ See link below:

https://wvtm13.com/article/rickwood-field-anticipates-2024-field-of-dreams-rickwood-classic-games/44275387

This is a mashup of “keep (something) under (one’s) hat” (to not reveal or discuss something publicly) and “under (one’s) belt” (already achieved). The confusion lies of course in the common denominator “under”, and that both involve an apparel item. A tip of the hat (or belt) to David Stephens for spotting this one and sending it in!

Fun facts: Rickwood Field was built in 1910 and was the home park for the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons (the latter in the Negro League). It has been featured in the biopics of Jackie Robinson (“42”) and Ty Cobb (“Cobb).