The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-13
SPORTS

Benny Kauff, one of the greatest play CTS in the national pastime, paid Bir- ningham a brief visit Saturday night. stopping off here on his road to the New York Nationals training camp at Mar lire, Tex. With the arrival of Kauff came the news that the star performer of the Federal league had signed a contract with the Giants after being on the hold-out list since the peace compact was signed Kauff was accompanied by John B. Eos 5er secretary of the Giants, who was sscorting the star to the camp. Kaun appeared to be in the best of condition nd talked freely of baseball. He reached Birmingham Saturday night near mid light and left yesterday morning for New Orleans. where he will proceed to he camp of ''Mugsy' McGraw
 The news that Kauff had signed with he Giants came as a big surprise. For ne past month Benny has been holding sut for a $5000 bonus before he would ign for the 1916 season. He was sat sfied with the terms of the contract nat were offered him by McGraw but uoldn't see the offer to sign without 'cnus It was rumored that he would suspended but the Giants probably ealized his value to the team and thus ..is demands were satisfied.
 EXPECTS BIG YEAR
 Kauff was very optimistic about his prospects in the National league this sea on, and especially his batting. T am lnxious to get in form and show the ans in the National league that I can lay good ball anywhere said the "Ty obb of the Federal League T had an yceedingly good year in the Feds last ; ear and I am confident that I will have even better one this year. I am in 4 pod physical condition, but must re- nee slightly before getting into good ,rrn.
 T am thoroughly satisfied with the rms of my 1916 contract, and was all e time. All I wanted the Giants to was to give a half of the big sum ey were getting for me. I wanted $50OO Id was determined to wait until I got it. .f Foster and myself got together Fri " night in New York, and when he id that he was ready to pay me my srnus, I didn't hesitate about signing my 7 'ntract. We left New York about an { our later and came by way of Rich end to pick up Dave Robertson, the 'rmer Southern leaguer, who was oper- ed on recently. Robertson, however is dangerous condition and I don't think will be able to play ball this year
 AS to my prospects this year. I ex-
 
 eds l batted .3A with Brooklyn, and I fly expect to hit over $50 this season I nsider the Federal league much faster an the National league was last sea- T. The Phillies won the pennant with mparatively no team. The American ague IS the greatest league of them !. It's faster in every respect.
 FEDS ON LAST LEGS The Federal league was in a poor , ape when the peace was signed was ally glad to see peace come because was afraid that if it didn't all the ederal league players would be sus- ended. have always wanted to play 1th the Giants. I helped myself a lot
 getting signed by urging Harry Sin- a,- who took over all of the Federal aEne contracts, to sell me to the Giants
 From the inside dope I could gather efore the end of last season, the Fed ral league was going to disband this ear, whether peace was made or not he high salaries were the cause, for