I’ve had my first research article published in the latest edition of SABR’s Origins Committee Newsletter. The article is titled “A Rediscovery Generations In The Making” and traces the history of the “Nestor of Ball Players” certificate that presented to Doc Adams by the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club upon his retirement in 1862. SABR Origins Committee Newsletter August 2026
Continue reading →Today’s post is a bit of a sidebar. If you follow our site, you are familiar with the ‘Laws of Base Ball’, especially Doc Adams’ handwritten 1st draft. However, you may or not be aware that their provenance passes through Princess Constance Wilcox Pignatelli. She was the granddaughter of William H. Grenelle, who penned the formal copy of the Laws. William H. Grenelle and his wife, Julia Porter Huntington had seven children: Constance Wilcox was the daughter of Mary Hobart Grenelle and George Augusta Wilcox. She married Prince Guido Pignatelli di Montecalvo of Italy, which is how she became a … Continue reading →
Nancy Adams Downey, great-granddaughter of Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams passed away on July 10, 2025. 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 …
Continue reading →In its May 25, 2026 issue, The New Yorker published “Hall of Shame” (“Baseball’s Magna Carta Finds a New Home” online) by Ben McGrath. The article chronicled a presentation delivered by Frank Murray, former owner of Doc Adams’ handwritten “Laws of Base Ball”, at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. McGrath recounts how Murray acquired the historic manuscript for approximately $12,000 in 1999 and traces its remarkable journey to its eventual sale for $3.26 million. The article also revisits the growing historical case for Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams and his pioneering role in the development and standardization of baseball. … Continue reading →
In 2016, Doc Adams’ handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” was re-discovered after being “lost” for 159 years since they were presented at the first baseball convention in 1857. The documents would be sold at auction for $3.26 million and subsequently being exhibited to the public on multiple occasions at multiple venues. Here are three questions about public displays of the “Laws of Base Ball”…
Continue reading →An article “Exhibit Traces Local Pastime” by Brad Parks in the Ridgefield Press described a Ridgefield exhibit that detailed local ties to baseball. Of particular interest is that the exhibit included Doc Adams. Adams lived in Ridgefield from about 1865 to 1888 and was an active member of the community during that time, He was the first President of the Ridgefield Savings Bank, was involved on the Town School Committee (Board of Education), helped form the Land Improvement Association of Ridgefield, was a founder of the Ridgefield Library Association, was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives, and served … Continue reading →
Doc Adams’ “Laws of Base Ball” will soon debut in the Hall of Fame’s “Taking the Field” exhibit, showcasing their historical significance. The unveiling is set for May 22, coinciding with the Memorial Day Weekend celebration. Visitors will learn about these foundational documents and their impact on baseball’s evolution.
Continue reading →Hi all, just a reminder that we’re still looking for more videos. So, if you’re a Doc Adams supporter, take a minute to record one and send it to us (click here). Thanks for your support. While enjoying the festivities at the Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival this past weekend, several folks mentioned they liked the videos we did last year. All of which can be found on our Multimedia page. It was a bit hectic pulling them together last year while we were focusing on raising awareness about Doc Adams during a ballot year. A lot of … Continue reading →
While enjoying the festivities at the Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival this past weekend, several folks mentioned they liked the videos we did last year. All of which can be found on our Multimedia page. It was a bit hectic pulling them together last year while we were focusing on raising awareness about Doc Adams during a ballot year. A lot of folks helped make those videos possible. Their time and efforts were greatly appreciated. So, a thought came to mind about starting to pull together videos in advance of Doc Adams’ next ballot appearance opportunity. He will … Continue reading →
We’ve had some issues reported with the link to the additional photos from our latest post. If you are having difficulty seeing those additional photos from our latest post they can be found here: 2025 Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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