The 26th installment of the Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival was held on August 5-6, 2023 at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY.
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.
Besides the great play on the fields, a highlight was this year’s special guest, Met great and 1969 World Champion, Art Shamsky. Shamsky, a great baseball ambassador, addressed the crowd expressing his love of the game and the importance of appreciating its history prior to throwing out a ceremonial pitch. He then mingled with fans, sharing stories, shaking hands, and taking pictures. He made a special day even more so.
As we continue to honor Doc Adams, the long-overlooked founding father of the National Pastime, we look forward to his opportunity to appear on a Hall of Fame ballot next year when he will again be eligible for recognition and enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The ballot will be announced next October/November with the election taking place in December 2024 and induction in July 2025. The recent changes in the era committees will make Doc Adams’ challenge to achieve induction even greater,
The Knickerbocker Experience made its 2nd appearance at the festival. Other teams participating this weekend included: Farmingdale Modocs, Cold Spring Spiders, Eckford BBC, Connecticut Base Ball Club of Hartford, Monmouth Furnace BBC, Atlantic BBC, Mountain Athletic Club, Mutual BBC of New York, Providence Grays, Manetto Hill Surprise.
