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Shipley named to bowling hall of fame
"It is a great honor," Shipley said. "But I was really surprised that it happened for two reasons. First where I live and then because of where I bowl most of the time." He attributes the induction to several factors. "Partly I think it has to do with ability, but mainly with what I do for bowling as far as promoting the sport." Shipley has been a director in the Greater Mobile Association for eight years, vice president for two as well as having been a state director for five years and state vice president for two. Currently he hold the title of president. Hailing from Indiana, Shipley started bowling at a very young age. "I was probably 8 years old riding my bike to the local bowling alley," he said. My dad got me involved. The alley was located in the upstairs of a savings and loan. It seemed to take forever to climb those stairs. "No shoes would fit me, but they still let me bowl," Shipley said. "The pinboy would set pins up in the gutter for me to bowl." He then bowled in various leagues for about eight years. He returned to the sport while in the military. "Then Jackson got a bowling alley and I have been bowling ever since," Shipley said. He can tell you the date that he did what every bowler aspires to do, bowl a perfect 300 game. "It was Oct. 5, 1999," he said. "I had been close before when I bowled 11 straight strikes, remembering not to throw the ball so hard on the final frame." Now he would like to add an 800-series to his list of accomplishments. "That would be three games in one night that add up to 800 pins or an average of 270 pins for each game." He already has 22 700-series with the highest average 209 over 96 games. For many years he bowled mainly in Mobile, but with an alley in Monroeville the trip is much shorter. "If there was an alley in the county I would probably bowl two or three times a week," he said. "But right now it is just once a week." Shipley is quick to point out the importance of having the strong support of his wife, Daneen. "She goes with me and bowls," he said, "her support is very important." It is not just local bowling that appeals to him. "I have bowled in about seven national tournaments" Shipley said. "I've been to Billings, Mont., Knoxville, Tenn., New York and Reno, Nev. I hope to get to bowl nationally again. "Sometimes these tournaments can last months," Shipley said. "When you enter one you pick a first and second date that you can bowl. Then they let you know. Once everyone bowls, then you know how you have done and you can participate on more than one team." Even though he has been inducted into the hall of fame, Shipley doesn't see himself slowing down anytime soon.
"I will keep on bowling as long as I have the urge and interest to do so," he said.
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