Adams, Peter (2012)

Peter was born in Portland and grew up in the North Deering area. His mother Margaret and his father George lived on Edgewood Ave. He went to Lyseth Elementary School and Lyman Moore Middle School. He played Little League in 1968 thru 1972 for Portland LL#9. It is here, he first demonstrated outstanding skills as a middle infielder. His teams won 2 league championships and he was an all-star at age 11 and 12. They won the district championship in 1972 and finished 4th in the state.

Peter went on to play Babe Ruth baseball for the city of Portland. He made two All-star teams while playing for Rollie McMillian, Tom Dibiase, and Lou Tripoldi. His teams won the State Championship in 1974 and 1975. Along with Dave Littlefield he was named Babe Ruth Player of the year in 1975.

Peter went to Portland High School where he played for Edson Hadlock. During his three year varsity career, Portland won two State Championships. He was selected as an all Telegram League player as well as on two All- State teams. He played Legion baseball under Frank Archer and won three State Championships in 3 years. Andrews Post finished 2nd in New England in 1977 competing in Warwick, Rhode Island. He was selected to 2 All-Tourney teams and was offered multiple scholarships upon graduation from Portland High School. With no regrets, Peter chose to go to the University of Maine at Orono.

As a Maine Black Bear Peter played for the legendary John Winkin. In the four years as Maine’s shortstop, they competed in the Northeast Regional’s three year’s and the College World Series in 1981 and 82. Maine finished 3rd in the country in 1982, behind the winner Miami and Wichita State. Peter was an All New England and North East Regional All-Star several times. In 1981 he received Honorable Mention as an All American player. Several teammates including his double-play partner Mark Sutton signed professional contracts. Outfielder Kevin Buckley and pitchers Joe Johnson and Billy Swift played in the Major Leagues.

Peter played in the Portland Twilight League each summer during his college years. He played for Sportsman’s Grill. He once hit 4 homeruns in one game. In 1981 he played for the Yarmouth Red Sox in the Cape Cod league. After his professional career he helped Olympia Sports to the Twilight League title in 1984.

In June of 1982 he was selected in the 20th round of the amateur baseball draft by the New York Yankees. Peter signed and was sent to the Oneonta Yankees in the New York Penn League. Peter played all the infield positions as well as catching a few games. He batted .319 his first year in the minor leagues. His manager that year was former major leaguer Ken Berry. One of his teammates was John Elway who later became the Hall of Fame quarterback of the Denver Broncos. In 1983 Peter played for the Fort Lauderdale Yankees. His coach was fellow Mainer and future Yankee manager Stump Merrill.

Peter coached one year of high school baseball at Old Orchard Beach where they won the Southern York County Championship. They lost in the State semi-final in a close game. He is presently a member of the Western Maine Board Umpires Association. He has umpired regular season and state play-off, high school games for the last 10 years. Peter has worked for the United States Postal service for twenty eight years. He and his wife Lorrie live in Hollis Maine. Peter has 5 children and 5 grandchildren.

For his many accomplishments in playing baseball at all levels including professionally, coaching and umpiring we congratulate Peter Adams and enthusiastically welcome him to the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.