Kauffman was born on June 22, 1888 in East Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to Charles, and Emma Kauffman, both of Pennsylvania. Charles Kauffman worked as a carpenter. Dick Kauffman had four siblings; brothers Calvin, Edwin, and Charles; and sister Jennie. In 1907, Dick Kauffman attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. From 1908 to 1909, Kauffman attended Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He was a three-sport star at the school, playing football, basketball, and baseball. In 1908, as a member of the school\'s football team, Kauffman registered a 90-yard run against his former school, Bucknell University. Kauffman played outfielder on the Susquehanna\'s baseball team. In a game against Franklin & Marshall College in 1908, he compiled five hits, including three home runs. In 1910, Kauffman played semi-professional baseball in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.\n', '

Kauffman\'s professional baseball career began in 1911 with the minor league York White Roses of the Class-B Tri-State League. His team, which represented York, Pennsylvania, featured future, and past Major League Baseball (MLB) players Ned Crompton, Bill Culp, Rankin Johnson, Sr., Red Oldham, and Joe Wagner. In June, the Gazette and Bulletin of Williamsport, Pennsylvania wrote that Kauffman was playing "a fine game at first" as a member of the White Roses. On the season, he batted .262 with 98 hits, nine doubles, nine triples, and four home runs in 106 games played. In 1912, Kauffman returned to the Class-B York White Roses. He batted .290 with 119 hits in 110 games played that season.\n', '

On January 17, 1913, Kauffman was sold for an undisclosed amount by the York White Roses to the Elmira Colonels of the Class-B New York State League. The 1913 Colonels, who represented Elmira, New York, featured future and past MLB players Cad Coles, George Hunter, Charlie Loudenslager, and Lew Ritter. Kauffman batted .278 with 145 hits in 140 games played on the season. he returned to the Elmira club in 1914. He batted .329 with 142 hits in 123 games played. He led the league in batting average. After the season, it was reported that Kauffman was being pursued by numerous MLB teams.\n', '

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