Category Archives: Recurring (2025)

Knickerbockers Vs. Empires: The Fly Game

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On August 10, 1859, the Knickerbockers played the Empires at Elysian Fields.It was the first game of the 1859 season between these two teams, however, it was not a regular match as they played “the fly game”. In the fly game, the ball must be caught “on the fly” to be an out rather on one bounce. The Knickerbockers won the contest 59-33. Doc Adams played “centre field”. He had 5 “Hands Lost” (a player was charged with a Hand Lost every time he made an out at bat or on the basepaths) but scored 5 runs. On an interesting … Continue reading →

Memories Of The Father Of Base Ball (Part 1)

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Buffalo, New York August 1939 Written by: Roger Cook Adams “During the present year when the centennial of the first out-break of base ball is being celebrated at Cooperstown, it may be of interest to record the important part played in the development of the game by an early member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York.” … “The Knickerbockers were unquestionably the first organized base ball club, followed by the Gothams in 1850, and the Eagles of Brooklyn in 1852. Their membership was comprised of young lawyers, doctors, merchants, bank and insurance clerks and others who could … Continue reading →

The 2025 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

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The 2025 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival was held last weekend (August 2-3) at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. In 2015, this longest running annual vintage base ball festival of its kind was renamed in honor of Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams. This year’s festival once again lived up its reputation as a must see for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a day of outdoor fun. The weather could not have been more beautiful and the ballists and cranks fully enjoyed the weekend, with a great time was had by all. For more photos from the … Continue reading →

Doc Adams – SABR’s Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend

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On July 31, 2014, Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams (1814 – 1899) was selected as the 19th Century Overlooked Baseball Legend by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). This recognition came in the bi-centennial of his birth. Each year SABR honors a 19th century player, manager, executive or other baseball personality not yet inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Adams joined the New York Base Ball Club in 1840. By 1845, he became a member of the famed Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and was elected as its president two years later. In 1848, he … Continue reading →

Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival This Weekend

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The 28th installment of the Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival will take place tomorrow and Sunday, August 2-3, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. In 2015, this longest running annual vintage base ball festival of its kind was renamed in honor of Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams. The festival is a must for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a a day of outdoor fun. This year, The Kickerbocker Experience will be making its 3rd appearance at the festival. The club’s goal is to provide a memorable “Experience” that honors Doc Adams and the Knickerbockers. If you … Continue reading →

Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival Next Weekend, August 2-3

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The 28th installment of the Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival will take place next weekend, August 2-3, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. In 2015, this longest running annual vintage base ball festival of its kind was renamed in honor of Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams. The festival is a must for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a day of outdoor fun. If you are in the area, come on down and step back in time and watch how base ball was played in its infancy. If you’re not in the immediate area, it’s worth the trip. … Continue reading →

Reminiscing About The Hall Of Fame Class of 2022

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July 25, 2022, the Class of 2022 was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The inductees were: Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, and Buck O’Neil, Tony Oliva, and David Ortiz, as well as Tim Kurkjian (BBWAA’s Career Excellence Award} and Jack Graney (Ford C. Frick Award). For many, it was a long wait; for some, a very long wait. On the occasion that we had hoped we would see Doc Adams’ contributions and accomplishments finally honored in Cooperstown, I reflected on how we got to that point and what might be next. … Continue reading →

Are You Experienced?

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The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club has been recreated with the advent of The Knickerbocker Experience. They debuted at the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 2022. With the club’s special attention to historical accuracy, the debut was both fun and meaningful for ballists and cranks alike. A total of 32 clubs battled in a single elimination tournament. Once a team was eliminated from the tournament, they continued to face other clubs in festival play. The Flat Rock Bear Clan BBC of Michigan emerged victorious, defeating the Rising Sun BBC of Maryland 23-11 for the championship. … Continue reading →

In Memory Of Nancy Adams Downey

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Adams Downey, great-granddaughter of Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams. She was the sister of the late Marjorie Adams, whom she helped conduct a mission to raise awareness of her great-grandfather’s contributions to the early development of our National Pastime. This, with the hope of seeing him recognized with a plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2021, Nancy was preceded in death by her younger sister Marjorie Adams, who spent years educating the world about their great-grand- father, Daniel “Doc” Adams, M.D., who wrote the Laws of … Continue reading →

Baseball Americana At The Library Of Congress

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In 2018, The Library of Congress hosted the Baseball Americana exhibition.  The ‘Laws of  Base Ball” authored by Doc Adams was the centerpiece of this major, year-long exhibition. The exhibition explored baseball’s past and present and how the game forged a sense of community for players and fans across the country. “The founding documents of baseball that would shape the modern game as our national pastime were ironed out in January and February 1857 at a convention called by the Knickerbockers Base Ball Club in New York City. Corrections were made by hand as the details were negotiated by New … Continue reading →