I belief it was more to show Mighcull was the sensitive one, hana

I just thought that he had a crush on her because she was pretty.

The book explains it more detail (although she is described as a young woman, rather than a young girl). Shakes, John and Tommy knew why he had done it, but they didn't really understand the full significance. Michael knew that she didn't care that he had deliberately lost the game for her, but he did it anyway because he saw that the victory would mean much more to her. I don't think it shows weakness either, but compassion. They had it in them, despite the violence and crime they grew up with in Hell's Kitchen. Showing kindness and compassion does not make someone weak, but that is the way it is viewed by some (evidenced by the lecture Fat Mancho gives the boys after they lost the stickball game). Michael felt that it was the right thing to do.

I disagree that it showed weakness. I haven't seen in years but am sure the narration simply said that he knew it was more than the right thing to do. I believe the purpose for the story was to show the goodness inside the boys in spite of their subsequent crime. Showing that they had morals.

they stated pretty plainly her significance. Fat Manga said it best. That Brad Renfro's character felt sorry for her and that he felt striking out was a noble act for her, but that showed weakness..if you throw a game for a legless girl, then you will show weakness in everything. the streets would eat him alive and in the end they kind of did. He wasnt prepared for the harshness the Guards dished out in the Boys home. He had to harden his soul to get his revenge.
"You're so cool im gonna call you culo"