Tag Archives: #DocAdamsHOF

Marjorie Adams On “My Baseball History” Podcast

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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“.

Continue reading →

Memories Of The Father Of Base Ball (part 3)

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

Buffalo, New York August 1939 Written by: Roger Cook Adams “During the present year when the centennial of the first out-break of base ball is being celebrated at Cooperstown, it may be of interest to record the important part played in the development of the game by an early member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York.” … “In the interest of uniformity it seemed wise to call a convention of representatives of all the club to establish a permanent code of rules by which all should be governed, and a call for such a convention was issued … Continue reading →

Henry Chadwick On The Father Of Baseball

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

On August 16, 1898, Hall of Fame pioneer, Henry Chadwick wrote to his friend, 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 [Ball] like Topsy ‘never had no fader’; it growed up.” Henry Chadwick in letter to Doc Adams (August 16, 1898) Mr. Chadwick wasn’t just being modest; he knew that baseball evolved from other bat and ball games and that there was no single “Father of Base Ball”. However, there are several individuals who played instrumental roles in … Continue reading →

Memories Of The Father Of Base Ball (part 2)

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

Buffalo, New York August 1939 Written by: Roger Cook Adams “During the present year when the centennial of the first out-break of base ball is being celebrated at Cooperstown, it may be of interest to record the important part played in the development of the game by an early member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York.” … “The first five years of the existence of the Club were evidently the hardest. Enthusiasm waned and attendance lagged. There was no inter-club rivalry, and often Dr. Adams would go to Elysian Fields and find only two or three others … Continue reading →

Happy 12th Birthday DocAdamsBaseBall.org!

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

The Doc Adams Base Ball website is celebrating its 12th birthday! It’s been a fun, exciting, and rewarding ride – one that will continue until Doc and his contributions are well known by baseball fans. Hopefully, this will result in his having a plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s gallery. A lot has happened just since this website was established 12 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 … Continue reading →

Knickerbockers Vs. Empires: The Fly Game

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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 →

Memories Of The Father Of Base Ball (Part 1)

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

Buffalo, New York August 1939 Written by: Roger Cook Adams “During the present year when the centennial of the first out-break of base ball is being celebrated at Cooperstown, it may be of interest to record the important part played in the development of the game by an early member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York.” … “The Knickerbockers were unquestionably the first organized base ball club, followed by the Gothams in 1850, and the Eagles of Brooklyn in 1852. Their membership was comprised of young lawyers, doctors, merchants, bank and insurance clerks and others who could … Continue reading →

The 2025 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

The 2025 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival was held last weekend (August 2-3) 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. The weather could not have been more beautiful and the ballists and cranks fully enjoyed the weekend, with a great time was had by all. For more photos from the … Continue reading →

Doc Adams – SABR’s Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

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 →

Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival This Weekend

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

The 28th installment of the Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival will take place tomorrow and Sunday, August 2-3, 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. The festival is a must for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a a day of outdoor fun. This year, The Kickerbocker Experience will be making its 3rd appearance at the festival. The club’s goal is to provide a memorable “Experience” that honors Doc Adams and the Knickerbockers. If you … Continue reading →