Doc Adams Appears on Hall Of Fame Ballot For The 1st Time

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On October 5, 2015, Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time as the National Hall of Fame announced the 10 candidates on the 2016 Pre-integration Era ballot. This marked a major milestone in the efforts to have Doc recognized with enshrinement. For a more detailed announcement read DOC ADAMS HELPED SHAPE BASEBALL’S EARLIEST DAYS. Sadly, he came up 2 votes short for election. Doc will next be eligible for the ballot NEXT YEAR, for 2021 Induction! We are in the home stretch! Thanks for your continued support as we take this final step to achieve the final goal of getting Doc his … Continue reading →

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 representing the 1st real All-Star Games. It was also the 1st time admission was charged to watch a game. The following is the box score from the 3rd and final game, played on September 10, 1858. The umpire for this important game was none other than Doc Adams of the Knickerbocker Club.

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The Father of Baseball

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On August 16, 1898, Henry Chadwick wrote me responding to my 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 were others who could share that title. The entire letter can be read here.

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The 22nd Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

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The boys and girls of summer returned to Old Bethpage Village Restoration for the 22nd Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival. The festival has provided many great memories in recent years. It was a beautiful weekend. The air was filled with friendly chatter and smiles abounded. Players, both artists and muffins, and cranks alike had a great time. You can see some more photos here. Mark your calendar for next year’s event, August 1-2, 2020.

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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 →

Upcoming Induction A Time to Reminisce and Look Ahead

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With the 2019 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction upon us, it causes us to reminisce and to look ahead as well. It’s a good time to re-visit Bill Francis’ great article about Doc on the Hall of Fame’s website. The article was published the 1st time Doc appeared on the ballot for the class of 2016. Had the Hall not changed their committee rules, this could have been Doc’s year. As it is now, he will have to wait for the ballot for the class of 2021. Hopefully, the 2021 Induction will see Doc being acknowledged with enshrinement into … Continue reading →

Doc Adams and Achieving Excellence

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192 years ago today (July 9, 1827), I was 12 and at the Kimball Union School in Meriden, NH. My father wrote me:“One of your greatest faults as a scholar is the want of perseverance, to struggle with little recurring difficulties; you too readily give up, before making suitable effort to overcome them. This propensity you must correct or you can never attain to anything great or excellent.”

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Aug 3 & 4: The 22nd Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

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It’s that time of year again. The boys of summer return to Old Bethpage Village Restoration and the 22nd Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival is right around he corner. The festival has provided many great memories in recent years. 08/03/19 – Saturday 11:00am Watch as teams from the 1864 league, from across the country play base ball (as it was spelled then) following the rules and customs of the 19th century in vintage uniforms. Food, beverages & more. 08/04/19 – Sunday 11:00am Watch as teams from the 1864 league, from across the country play base ball (as … Continue reading →