2026 MSBL Player Profile: Sam Adkins, Central Arkansas Men’s Baseball League
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
Sam Adkins is one of the key ingredients that has made the Central Arkansas Men’s Baseball League the successful league that it has been since its inception way back in 1989. Sam joined the league in 2005 and has been lending a hand ever since.
Current League President of the 10-team CAMBL, Stephen King, has nominated Sam as one of the players we will be featuring in our 2026 MSBL Player Profiles.
“Sam is a manager and player in our league who isn’t very old, but has been in the league longer than 90% of the guys here,” said King. “He possesses an incredible streak of games attended and has been involved in MSBL national tournaments for a long time.
He is always available to the league and me, with a focus on improving and growing the league. Sam makes our league better.”
The 45-year-old Adkins grew up in Arkansas, currently lives in Sherwood, is a mental health therapist by trade, and maintains a very flexible schedule, which allows him the time to pitch in when league duties warrant.
“I just help Stephen out when something needs doing,” said Sam. “There are no actual positions in the league. All of the managers are on our board. On our team, we had a player who was a baseball coach at a school and helped us keep up on the field maintenance. We all pitch in to help.”
Sam came aboard in 2005 and joined the Red Sox, of whom Sam is now managing, which remains the only original team from 1989 when the league took root. Sam has played in 338 games in the league and has only missed one contest in the past 20 years.
“I only missed because of my brother’s wedding. I’ll never forgive him!”
The league remains a 25-over format, but you must be 28 to pitch.
“The White Sox have won the league championship in seven of the past ten years. They have the ability to continue to find young, talented players. They are truly dominant.”
Sam’s youth involved the typical Babe Ruth, High School, and a dabble into the college ranks, but then it all stopped until 2005. Sam not only picked up the baseball once again in Arkansas, he also embraced tournament baseball and has become a regular in Phoenix every year at the MSBL World Series in the fall. 
“I went originally in 2006 to Phoenix with our then League President, Randy Guard, and have played for the Arizona Angels and the Colorado Blues, among others. Not sure about who I will play with this year, but it will be great.
One year we lost in the championship game and had such a blast, I played the next week. The experience of the World Series in Arizona is tough to beat. You get hooked quickly.”
Sam straps on the gear and catches one or two games per year now and loves it.
“In the league, we were short on players one time, and we needed a catcher. I had never done it before, but what the heck! We actually won the league one year while I was the catcher, after never catching before. I like being a part of the whole game. It’s a great perspective from back there.”
What is the best thing about your league? “Relationships and camaraderie with your team, as well as others. The friendships made are priceless. In our first year, we started hanging out with the other team afterwards, and I ran into four guys who were from his home team. We have since become good friends, along with becoming close with all of the umpires. The league is one big club.”
What is the best thing about his Red Sox team? “We come from all walks of life and are like brothers. One year, we had five guys living together and playing ball, and it was a blast. We have had over 200 people play on the Red Sox over the years. One guy played four years on the team before we knew he was a doctor!
We always like to ask our subjects who their favorite players are and why.
“When I was a youngster, it was Daryl Strawberry. When I got older, Derek Jeter took over, primarily because of the way he carried himself, on and off the field. We had a AA Cardinals team in the region, so I became a Cardinals fan. I was a huge fan of Ozzie Smith.”
What are some of your greatest baseball moments, either watching or playing?
“In the league, we were playing the Pirates in their first year. We were tied up, and in the 9th inning, they walked the guy in front of him to load the bases. He yelled, ‘Start loading the gear,’ and then he singled and won the game in the playoffs.
Another time, I personally, went 6 for 6 on Father’s Day. I don’t remember the exact year, but that doesn’t happen too often!”
