Doc Umpires Deciding Fashion Race Course Game

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The Fashion Race Course games were played between All-Star teams (pick nines) comprised of the finest New York area players versus the finest Brooklyn area players and was the 1st real All-Star Series. It was also the 1st time admission was charged to watch a game. None other than Doc Adams of the Knickerbocker Club was selected to be the umpire for the third and deciding game of this first championship “series” between New York and Brooklyn. In the game, umpire Adams called non-swinging strikes, the first time that new rule was applied. The second bane of Chadwick’s existence, in addition to swift pitching, … Continue reading →

Knickerbockers Vs. The Gothams

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Doc Adams led off and tallied 2 runs in the ‘great’ match between the Knickerbocker and Gotham Clubs won by Gotham 21-7. Per the New York Daily Times, “There was some fine batting by Dr. Adams…” “Gotham Club of New York v Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York on 5 September 1856” on Protoball.

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Talk About Big Shoes To Fill

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It’s always a challenge for children to live up to their celebrity relatives.This article in the “Argus and Patriot” (Montpelier, VT) dated August 28, 1895 illustrates that this is not a new phenomenon. The article is a recount of a game between National Life Insurance Company and the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The game was played on Seminary Hill in Montpelier, Vermont on a rather inclement day. The final score was 14-7 in favor of the “fire boys”. The game account is written in the ‘flowery style” of the day and interesting for that alone. However, about halfway into … Continue reading →

Everyone Should Now Be Able To Express Themselves

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Just a quick note concerning blog post feedback. It seems that not everyone has been able to share their thoughts with us. A small number of folks have reported experiencing difficulties when attempting to submit comments to posts (Access Denied). After spending some more “quality” time with GoDaddy support, we believe they have resolved the issue. To those who were affected, thank you for your patience. Feel free to express your thoughts on future posts (or contact us should you encounter any additional issues).

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Marjorie Adams On “My Baseball History” Podcast

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Marjorie Adams talked with Dan Wallach on his “My Baseball History” podcast about her great-grandfather, Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams, M.D. To steal a line from SABR, Marjorie draws on her family archives and ephemera in addition to more traditional sources to provide an in-depth look into the man John Thorn called “the true father of baseball – and you’ve never even heard of him!” “Liner notes” for this podcast episode can be found at “My Baseball History: 202 – Marjorie Adams“.

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Henry Chadwick On The Father Of Baseball

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On August 16, 1898, Henry Chadwick wrote to Doc Adams responding to Doc’s letter congratulating him on the title of “Father of Base Ball”. Mr. Chadwick wrote: “That title of ‘Father of Base Ball’ is out of place. Base like Topsy ‘never had no fader’ it growed up.” Mr. Chadwick was being modest, however there are others who he could share that title with, including the good doctor. For his role in making baseball the success it is, Doc Adams may be counted first among the Fathers of Baseball. “Doc Adams“, SABR Bio Project, John Thorn

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Happy 9th Birthday DocAdamsBaseBall.org!

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The Doc Adams Base Ball website is celebrating it’s 9th birthday! A lot has happened just since this website was established nine years ago. An engaging and memorable interview of Doc Adams (Marjorie Adams) at SABR’s 6th Annual Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference in Cooperstown…. Selection of Doc Adams as SABR’s 2014 Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend…the longest running Vintage Base Ball festival of its kind renamed the Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival…Doc appearing on the 2016 Pre-integration Era Committee Ballot… and sadly, coming up 2 votes shy of election…the re-discovery of the ‘Laws of Base … Continue reading →

The Fly Game: Knickerbockers Vs. Empires

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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 →

The 2022 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

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The 2022 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival was held on August 6-7 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. It was a hot and humid weekend; however, a nice breeze provided a little relief, which both the ballists and cranks appreciated. Ballists, both artists and muffins, and cranks alike had … Continue reading →