The weather was spectacular for the capstone of the “A Pitch For Doc Adams” series held at the historic M.A.C. Grounds at Fleischmanns Park in Fleischmanns, NY.

The Vintage Base Ball community rallied behind long-overlooked baseball pioneer, Doc Adams, and his Hall of Fame case by hosting mid-19th century style base ball games to raise awareness of the many contributions of Daniel Lucius Adams, MD (aka “Doc”) to our National Pastime during its nascent period.

The Mountain Athletic Club hosted the Polecats Vintage Base Ball Club featuring The Hamden Nine supported by ballists from Brickmakers Saugerties Vintage Base Ball Club and The Knickerbocker Experience for a great mashup of 1858/1895 with two hand-made balls donated by Corky Gaskell. Both balls were quickly deposited into the Bushkill on dead pulls by the right-handed Knick visiting from Connecticut known as ‘Pinetar’ who was seen later in the day attempting to locate and retrieve them.

Both ballists and cranks alike were winners on this day. The ballists had fun playing the game they love on a warm, late October afternoon to end their season with an engaged group of cranks in attendance. The cranks enjoyed the lively play by talented ballists while learning about Doc Adams, and the history of the M.A.C. Grounds. Kudos to Collin ‘Stumpy’ Miller and all involved for a great day!

Congrats to Carlos Antonio Santiago aka “Kid” for his first W from the pitch and J. Birch for the save. Appreciated playing again with Steve Pierce an old M.A.C. from Chicago who last donned the Gold/Black when he was still a teenager. And our loyal cranks from the Fleischmanns faithful…even some new faces in the crowd like Roger Ratzenberger from DocAdamsBaseBall.org. who threw out the ceremonial first pitch!

We look forward to seeing all the cranks in 2025 as we celebrate 200 years of baseball history in Delaware County and the 130th anniversary of the M.A.C. Until then…

Collin ‘Stumpy’ Miller, Mountain Athletic Club

Fashioned after the original team established in Griffin Corners, New York in 1895 by yeast magnates Julius and Max Fleischmann, the Mountain Athletic Club connects generations to the National pastime through authentic play according to the rules and customs of nineteenth-century base ball. The M.A.C. Grounds at Fleischmanns Park is listed on the New York State & National Register of Historic Places.

Mountain Athletic Club Vintage Base Ball

Below are some highlights of the day’s event.

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Born in Mont Vernon, NH in 1814, Doc graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1838 and while practicing medicine in New York City played baseball, eventually becoming a founding member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (K.B.B.C.) in 1845. Doc oversaw the manufacturing of bats and made many of the balls by hand (which were not readily available back then) and organized regular matches with other Clubs at the storied Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ where it has been said that the first modern match of baseball was held in 1846. In 1849, Doc invented and played the position of shortstop as the balls were often too light to make a throw from the outfield without a middle person to relay the ball. Eventually, the position moved forward to fill in the infield. In 1857, while presiding over the Rules Committee for the convention of New York and Brooklyn clubs, he is credited with having set the bases at 90-feet apart, advocated strongly for nine-inning games and nine players per side. He also was in favor of the “fly game,” where balls in fair territory must be caught in the air. Prior to this rule change in 1865, balls could be caught on one bound for an out.

A Pitch For Doc Adams