New Britain herald., 1927-04-08
s ak ne of Sports

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 Two of the finest examples Of sportsmanship were given last night ! at bouts Of the Hardware City A. 1 c. at the Tabs hall when Patsy | Bridget, promoter, went through i with the card in the face of heavy 1 losses and offered to refund the l price to any fan who was dissatisfied | and, on the other hand. when not a ! single fan called to redeem his i ticket.
 Earlier in the day. Sig Reopen. i who was scheduled to be one of the principals in the main bout facing Erwin Bige the Nebraska Cowboy" refused because of weight to go on in the fight, giving the promoter the lirst bad "break" Of the day.
 Reopen, according to Deputy Ath- letic Commissioner William Farley, was we'll within his rights in refus- ing the match. though the question of sportsmanship is q different mat ter, because Bige's contract called l for him to weigh 144 pounds. He
 sealed 147. Reopen weighed Al 1-2. making the difference between the | men five and half pounds.
 Friends on al sides besieGed Pro-
 ,fft | rI and save what he could. The attend ance numbered about 300 and empty seats were evident ln every part of spacious hall. MT. Bridg- gett, however, insisted on putting on the bout and Billy Mitchell was selected to face Bige.
 Mitchell proved to oe a "ioke." The apt description of the mans appearance when he came into the 1 ring by the Herald" correspondent at the ringside, gives fine idea of l the spectacle he presented. B4ge tore cit, however, insisted on putting Tn the superfuous flesh around his mid-section and landed punch on his arm, and Mitchell went down, A towel flashed Into the ring and> the l fight was ended.
 The main bout was a "fuke" be- l cause of Keppen's refusal 10 go on as scheduled. This was realized by
 Patsy Bridget and after the first bout. Announcer Artie Pilz stated l that any Of the fans who were not satisfied could get their money back | Ut the box offfice.
 When the final bout went on, Ref cree digger" Mccarthy announced 1 that money on tickets would be re- funded to those who wished to col 1 feet.
 Despite the statement in q morn- | ing paper that tcllers were busy for q long time after the fight paying back money to disgruntled fans, not one ticket was redeemed and to the everlasting credit Of the fans who attended. every one proved to be as
  stood to lose plenty Of money in or der that his word might be kept.
 The first three fights on the card could not be improved on and had there been a match at all in the final, the card would have been a success.
 The St. Mary's baseball team de- feated the Nathan Hale Speedboys by 15 to score yesterday. The winning team challenges any junior team under 15 years of age. For games telephone 2lS9-5.
 The state basketball championship has come to New Britain for the first time since Charley Barrctts l world championship team held forth about o5 years ago. This, of course. is exclusive bf the Y. NJ. C. A. and other league champions.
 The National Guards showed last 1 night that they are worthy owners of the title and although it was q tough defeat for Bristol, the work of both the winners and the losers furnished the tremendous crowd of fans with the best basketball game seen in these parts in years.
 Every fan who returned to New Britain last night, dclirious whh joy,I over the victory. was vehement in declaring that it was the "best game cver."
 Nothing but respect and admira- ton could be given the great quin- 1 let which fell before the GuardS in he final game last night. Were 1 the game to be replayed tonight. Bristol would still start the battle on even terms with the local team.
 Three men on the team failed 10 get into the game because the quin- | let that was playing was going so good. but they were ready if needed and each one was anxious to play. | The feeling they held, however. was N