Tag Archives: #bbhof

Recalling The Ceremonial 1st “Pitch For Doc Adams”

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

After the recent capstone event of this year’s “A Pitch For Doc Adams” at the M.A.C. Grounds at Fleischmanns Park, we’d like to flash back to its ceremonial 1st pitch. It seems like only yesterday that the first “Pitch For Doc Adams” was thrown on June 9, 2024 at Stroh Field, Hilltop Farm. Suffield, CT. The weather wasn’t the greatest; however, it cooperated enough to play and the ballists made the best of it. The Westfield Wheelmen hosted the first-ever Old Tyme Base Ball Festival on June 8 and 9 in Suffield. The team organized the two-day baseball festival at … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 4: Shortstop (The Sporting News)

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

This is the fourth 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: “Shortstop”. 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 →

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

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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 →

Doc Adams Video Homage

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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.

Continue reading →

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

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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 →

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

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

“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 →

Doc Adams For Baseball’s Hall Of Fame By William Ryczek

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

In December, Hall of Fame electors will decide whether Daniel Lucius (Doc) Adams will be enshrined in baseball’s hallowed corridor, and if his plaque will join those of 333 others whose accomplishments and contributions to baseball earned them the sport’s highest honor.  Most Hall of Famers were selected because of their feats on the playing field.  They hit more home runs than their peers, won more games than other pitchers, or managed their teams to multiple World Series triumphs.  Their accomplishments are quantifiable, for baseball, more than any other sport, is a game of statistics.  The contributions of non-players are … Continue reading →

Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams, Baseball Pioneer By Peter Mancuso

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

When the Society for American Baseball Research’s (SABR’s) Nineteenth Century Research Committee signed on to write and publish, “Base Ball’s 19th Century ‘Winter’ Meetings: 1857-1900” (the precursor to two volumes written by SABR’s Business of Baseball Research Committee covering 1901 – 2016’s Winter Meetings) we knew we had to start from the beginning.  And, that beginning was 1857, when baseball’s first true convention was held. Sixteen teams and forty-eight delegates in all met over two meeting dates in 1857 to codify the rules of play based on “the New York Game.”  They selected the then President of New York City’s … Continue reading →