1860 Beadle’s Dime Base-Ball Player

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In the premier issue of Beadle’s Dime Base-Ball Player, Hall of Famer Henry Chadwick, expresses gratitude to his friend, Dr. Adams. Doc was also listed as delegate to the 1860 National Convention representing the Knickerbockers with his teammate, William Grenelle. As is illustrated by Doc’s name appearing in italics, he still continued to support the ‘catch on the fly’ rule. The rule change was proposed to the NABBP annually by Adams but did not pass. It wasn’t finally instituted in 1864. Doc Adams was elected the presiding officer of the first convention in 1857. The second convention was the birth … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 3: Bats (The Sporting News)

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This is the third chapter in a nine-part series, excerpts from an interview(s) in the “The Chicago Chronicle” and “The Sporting News”, both appearing in the mid-late 1890s. This chapter is titled: “Bats”. The seminal interview of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. appeared in The Sporting News on February 29, 1896. This is the only known first-hand account of Doc’s memories of the game. Similar interviews (or excerpts) began to appear in newspapers across the Midwest apparently originating in The Chicago Chronicle on June 23, 1895. He never talked about baseball. We have not one thing in the family, that Doc … Continue reading →

A Pitch For Doc Adams At Fleischmanns

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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 … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Video Homage

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As we await the announcement of the 2025 Classic Baseball Era Ballot, it seems like a good time to post an homage to the good doctor. This video briefly highlights his contributions to the National Pastime, details his love of the game, and demonstrates the way he is embraced and honored by today’s fans and ballists. A more detailed presentation of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. life can be found here More information can always be found at Doc Adams Base Ball.

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In His Own Words Chapter 2: Balls (The Chicago Chronicle)

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This is the second chapter in a nine-part series, excerpts from an interview(s) in the “The Chicago Chronicle” and “The Sporting News”, both appearing in the mid-late 1890s. This chapter is titled: “Balls”. The seminal interview of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. appeared in The Sporting News on February 29, 1896. This is the only known first-hand account of Doc’s memories of the game. Similar interviews (or excerpts) began to appear in newspapers across the Midwest apparently originating in The Chicago Chronicle on June 23, 1895. He never talked about baseball. We have not one thing in the family, that Doc … Continue reading →

The Gotham And The Knickerbockers

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On October 18, 1853, the Gotham and the Knickerbockers played what was referred to “the finest and at one time the closest match, that has ever been played between the two clubs”. The game was played at the Red House Grounds (106 Street and Second Avenue, NY). Knickerbockers prevailed by a score of 21-14 with Doc Adams scoring 3 runs. Note that at the time, matches (games) were decided by scoring 21 ‘aces ‘, or runs. It wasn’t until 1857 (re: “The Laws of Base Ball“) that the length of the game was changed to nine equal innings, rather than declaring the first … Continue reading →

The M.A.C. Makes “A Pitch For Doc Adams”

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REMINDER: If you’re in the area, The Mountain Athletic Base Ball Club will be making “A Pitch For Doc Adams” on this Saturday, October 19, 2024 while hosting the Delhi Polecats at historic Fleischmanns Athletic Grounds on Wagner Ave, Fleischmanns, NY. The event will showcase nearly 40 years of baseball evolution in a progressive format starting in the year 1858 and finishing in 1895, The first pitch will be at noon. Without Doc, baseball as we know it, would look very different and for this man’s honor, we will play a progressive game starting in 1858 (the era of Doc) … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 1: Enthusiasm (The Chicago Chronicle)

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A seminal interview of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. appeared in The Sporting News on February 29, 1896. This is the only known first-hand account of Doc’s memories of the game. Similar interviews (or excerpts) began to appear in newspapers across the Midwest apparently originating in The Chicago Chronicle on June 23, 1895. This is the first chapter in a nine-part series, excerpts from those two mentioned articles and are Doc Adams’ recollections of the game and its early history, in his own words. This first chapter is titled: “Enthusiasm”. He never talked about baseball. We have not one thing in … Continue reading →

Roger Ratzenberger Reflects On Doc Adams

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My wife, Cathy, and I have enjoyed the Dr. Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams journey we’ve been on for the last thirteen years and would like to take share some thoughts on it. First of all, we would like to thank the late Marjorie Adams, Nancy Adams Downey, and their family for sharing the story of their baseball pioneering ancestor with us. On a hot Saturday afternoon, between games of an Alert Fire Hose Company doubleheader at Colt Meadows in Hartford, CT, I was introduced to someone whom I was told was “someone that I’d really want to meet”. That someone … Continue reading →

The Official Historian Of MLB On Doc Adams

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“He’s the true father of baseball and you’ve never heard of him.” John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball. Thanks to John Thorn’s rediscovery of Doc Adams, his research, writing, and the unearthing and sale of Adams’ handwritten “Laws of Base Ball”, more people today are aware of Doc Adams and his role in early baseball. When Doc Adams set to work in late 1856, none of these aspects of the game were settled,” said Thorn. “This was some seven years after Cartwright had left New York for Hawaii, never to return. For his role in making baseball the … Continue reading →