Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-30
BENNY KAUFF IS
POSSIBLE CAUSE
OF LEAGUE ROW
Brookfed Who Claims He Is
Not Under Contract May
Prove Focus of Bitter Fight
on Organized Ball,

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LGssEo wiRGl
New York, April 29.-Benny Kauff,
star outfelder of the Federal league,
jumped today from the Brooklyn Fed
erals to the New York National league
club, thereby creating the biggest
commotion of the baseball season so
far. his action giving rise also to an
unusual series of complications In
connection with the game scheduled
for today at the Polo grounds between
Boston and New York.
Kauff appeared in the New York
lineup as center fielder but President
Gaffney, of Boston, who was on the
grounds, refused to permit his team
to play against the Giants with the
Federal league jumper participant
in the contest. The game was then
forfeited by Umpire Quigley to New
York, 8 to 0. Later a seven-inning
game was played in which the New
York club took the field with Muir
ray in center Boston won this con-
test, Is to s.,
Manager McGraw of the Giants
claims this was an exhibition game.
According to Secretary John A. Heyd-
Ter, of the National league, however,
President Tener, called by telephone,
ruled that Kauff as jumper from
organized baseball was ineligible to
play with a club in the organized
game unless formally reinstated, and
instructed the other umpire of the
day, to declare the game forfeited to
Boston unless Kauff was removed
from the lineup as he eventually was.
At a late hour President Tener had
issued no formal statement but it was
believe the game would stand as
played as q victory for Boston. sub
ject to probable contest by New York
against any decision giving the game
to the Braves.
Kauff was secured by McGraw just
before the start of today's game. He
has been trying for some time to OBJ
tain q strong hitter for his outfield,
and only yesterday was declared on
the best apparent authority to have
secured Zach Wheat of Brooklyn in
exchange for several New York play
ers. President Ebbetts of Brooklyn
is emphatic, however, in declaring
there never has been the slightest in
tention of letting Wheat get away
from Brooklyn and today when nego-
tiations which McGraw says he has
been conducting for some time WITH
Kauff came to head, the Giants
manager quickly seized the chance TO
sign the heavy hitting Federal leag-
uer.
Kauff this afternoon is declared to
have made an affidavit that he was
not under contract to the Brooklyn
Federals and to have signed three
years contract with the Giants at a
high salary. McGraw asserted the
New York club consulted high legal
authority before signing Kauff.
Disputing Kauff's assertion that he
had no contract with the Brroklyn
Federals. President Ward asserted
the player signed for three years ana
would make fight for him. Mr.. Ward
Immediately wired President Tener
of the National league, and President
Hampstead of the New York ciub,
protesting against New Yorks action.
He said that If the National league
failed to order Kauff's return, the
Federal league would start o war on
reprisal and go after the biggest
players in organized baseball.
Secretary Heydler tonight for
warded by telegraph to the members
of the national commission the New
York clubs application for Kauh $
reinstatement to enable him to play
with the Giants.
Kauff, who came to the Brooklyn
Federals through a deal with the
Indianapolis Federal league clup
which later was transferred to New
ark. led the Federal league in batting
last season. His average for 1854 games
while playing eenteriield for INDIAN
apolis was 1856. His fielding average
was 1858 for 1854 games.