The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Facts Prove That Most Clubs Gain No Benefit
 From Camps
CHIEF
 DESIRE OF CLUBS
President Baugh Says Clubs Are Fast Becoming Aware to Unnecessary Trips-President Smith and
 Molesworth Agree
By FRED BODEKER

| That spring training camps away from | the home park are no longer of any ma terial value other than good advertising me diums becomes more apparent as the seasons pass, and still clubs round into ] good shape on the home lots Officials are beginning to agree that the majority of the trips are unnecessary and that | more advantage can be obtained from the practice at home.
 Take for instance the trip of the Barons last year to Orlando, Fla, where about six weeks was spent in early season pre- paredness. Manager Molesworth worked his squad for this entire time, and al- though the weather was favorable, mid season form was never reached. The Barons took the trip solely for the pur- pose of getting the jump on other South ern league teams, but this proved futile.
 The Barons got bad start last season as they always do. It is the custom of the Barons to lose about 10 games before hitting their stride, and consequently the season has passed the 25-game mar- gin before the Barons can show an even break in the number of games won and lest. The Atlanta Crackers are experi- rnenting this season, and the outcome of their efforts is watched with interest.
 ATLANTA EXPERIMENTING
 To begin with it looks like Franks move in selecting Valdosta was a pig error. Valdosta is not so very far from Atlanta and has practically the same climate as Atlanta the whole year round. Al the present time, Atlanta is enjoying E; ham, and although Valdosta is having the same. what benefit does Frank get from having the camp at Valdosta
 There may be some secret in a move like this, but it appears big blunGer to the fans, and the public in general. In- stances of the like are quite numerous On last Tuesday, the Indianapois club or the American association, passed through Birmingham on way to Albany, Ga., where they will hold their spring training. The practice was not started in the camp, according to reports, until Friday.
 The opening game in the American association is always near the opening date in the Southern league. Taking this under consideration, it appears that In dianapolis Will have but little less than two weeks to train in. The team VIII have to break camp at least by the first of April, or soon after, to reach Indian apolis in time to do a little practicing on the home diamond According to members of the party that passed through here, the weather was mod crate in Indianapolis, and that there was no doubt but that the weather in Albany would be worse training weather than that in Indianapolis
 SOME CAMPS ESSENTIAL
 Big clubs like New York, Pittsburg xlN-r, must take training trips for the weather is too cold in March and April to hold training. The fact of minor league clubs taking training jaunts or even big league clubs in Cleveland or Cincinnati or other clubs as far south seems to be a poor bit of generalship.
 The fact that several clubs passed through Birmingham recently on way t. training camps this late in the year proved to me that training trips are be- coming less necessary" said President Baugh of the Southern league. Clubs leaving this late in the year have only about two weeks or less to get into con- dition, which is almost impossible. I can't see why they don't stay at home and take the chance of having good weather for club is seldom disappointed in this respect. Clubs are fast Jbecom- ing aware to the fact, and before long it will not be an uncommon thing for most clubs to do spring training at home.'
 Moley was just as strong in his belief that spring trips are of but little ad- vantage as President Baugh. rake the local situation, for instance" said Moley. Last year we went on an expensive training trip and derived but very little benefits. if any. This year we stayed at home and as result are i'll better condition now than we were or our return trip from Orlando at the concIuslon of cur training there I am thoroughly con yinced by the experience of other clubs that taking these trips is of no material value. Of course club gets a lot of advertisement, but that don't get the team in the race for the rag. Believe me, judging from the kind of weather that we have had here this spring and the kind that We experienced in Flor ida last year, I'll take the Magic City climate for mine''
 SMITH AGREES
 President Smith of the Barons is also a firm believer in no more training trips. They don't do as much good as the fans think they do,'' said President Smith, I'm like Moley, give me that good old Birmingham climate. like we've had this year. and we will be ready for any league race"
 Three weeks is the average length of a training camp. the majority of the time begin consumed on the road to and from the home city in playing ex- hibition games. Judging from the belief Of local baseball officials. the time for the training camps will soon lose the great popularity it now possesses. Train ing camps are of no doubt the only medium possible in number of cases. but the majority which are unneces- sary will soon cease to be the big thing in the baseball world.
 Belgians in a Dilemma
 The Hague Netherlands. March 15. (SFecial )-Some alterations have been