New Britain herald., 1928-08-20
TAFTVlLLE TEAM BLANKS
FALCONS IN HARD GAME
Johnny Klatka Presented With Gold Watch and Gold
Fountain Pen-Popular Star Receives Great Ova.
ton From Large Crowd-Atwood Bested In Pitch.
ing Duel With Tony West - Visitors Give Smart
Exhibition During Contest Spectacular Plays

Over 500 people attended the
johnny Klatka" day observance at
the Falton-Taftville baseball game
yesterday afternoon at st. Mary's
field and were treated to one of the
best games played at the local field
this year. Lefty" Atwood and
TONY" West engaged in tight
pitchers duel with the visiting twirl-
er getting the edge through smart
baseball by his teammates. The
final score was to 0 in favor of
the Taftville aggregation. Each
pitcher allowed but six hits.
When Johnny" klatka came to
bat in the first inning the game was
stopped and he was presented with
q gold watch and chain and a gold
fountain pen. The presentation
speech was made by Attorney B.
Monkiewicz. In his talk, Mr.. Mon
kiewicz told of the loyalty of the
first baseman and of his deeds while
playing with the local team during
the past six years. Players from
both teams stood in the middle OF
the diamond during the presenta-
ton award. A young girl dressed in
the native attire OF the Polish peo-
pie, presented klatka with a bou.
quet Of flowers. Both the watch and
flowers were the gifts of the Falcon
4. {. Johnny received tremendous
hand from the large crowd, and liv-
ing up TO tradition, failed to get 4
hit In the game. 1t was the second
time in Is games that he failed to
connect safely.
Both teams were evenly matched,
and 1t was seen in the early innings
that pitchers battle was in pro-
gress. West threw slow ball after
slow ball and had the Falcon batters
outguessed throughout the after
noon. After the second inning West
breezed along in fine style and was
never in danger. Atwood also pitch
ed a fine game but momentary
lapses in the NTH and seventh in
nings and clever headwork by the
opposing batters cost him the de-
cision.
The play Of both teams was
great to watch and the large crowd
was treated TO some classy fielding.
kid" Begley and Patrus made some
good stops on hard hit balls while
the two old veterans. Christy and
Normandin. of the Taftville aggre-
CATION. handled everything that
came their way without any trouble.
Normandin. especially. was In great
form and pulled two stops in the
grass that were beauties.
Taftville went out in order In the
first inning. Reilly sent out long
double In the Falcons half Of the
session with one out but was left
stranded. The visitors were power
less before Atwood III the second
inning while the Falcons made q
desperate drive to score. Noonan
was robbed Of a hit by Dabrowski
who went over In back Of SECOND
base to snare his bid for bingle.
Mckernan walked and Rose beat
out a bunt to first base. Begley and
Atwood were easy outs, however. on
slow curves.
In the third Dabrowski walked
and Normandin was safe OH an error
by Rose. Begley made great stop
of Christy's smash and forced Nor
mandin at second for the third out.
The Falcons went out in order In
, their half of the inning. The visitors
again threatened In the fourth but
fast double play killed off the rally.
Dugas singled and Eccleston walked.
Harry Mills hit one down to third
and REILLY started fast double
play.
The visitors scored their first run
| in the NTH inning on inside base
ball. Moore laid one down towards