NORTH CANTON — Max Shankle just didn’t like the feel of his new Hammer Ocean Vibe bowling ball coming off of his hand.
“I got it right before the start of bowling season, but I really didn’t like it at first. It just wouldn’t come off my hand,” the 49-year-old Plain Township left-hander said. “But then I shined it up, it seemed to come off my hand better, and I’ve liked it ever since.”
His love of the new ball increased recently when the contractor had games of 234, 300 and 279 for an 813 in the Hannon Electric league at Park Centre Lanes. It marked the fifth 800 by a left-hander this season at the center.
“This season really has been shady … up and down for me,” said Shankle, who bowls in just one league while subbing in another. “I’m bowling just the one league because my body just can’t handle any more.”
But he is bowling the one league with his son, Dylan, who is bowling in his first adult league after graduating from Canton McKinley High School and gaining All-Ohio honors last season.
“I’ve been waiting to do this for a while,” Shankle said. “Now, I have to wait for the younger one, but he’s only 13 and plays too many sports.”
Shankle had one open frame in Game 1, leaving a 2-4-6-10 split. But after that split, he kept striking until the sixth frame of Game 3.
“All the shots in the second game were flush except for one 6-pin that kind of tipped back. That shot in the third game, I left a solid 9-pin in the sixth,” said Shankle, who has 15 800 series with a high of 847 that he shot at the former 77 Colonial Lanes to go along with 15 300 games.
“I did the math. I knew after that that I had to strike out if I wanted to get the 800.”
His only adjustment came following his split in Game 1.
“It took me awhile to realize my ball just kept on hooking,” Shankle said. “I was crushing it, and then all of a sudden, it just took off on me. I moved three boards to the right with my feet, kept the same target, and that’s when the run happened.
“I stayed there the rest of the night.”
He did get fortunate in the 10th frame of Game 3 with a high hit that enabled Shankle to reach his milestone.
“I was hoping for two 300s in a row, but the 9-pin spoiled that,” Shankle said. “I just threw that one shot in the 10th horrible. I think I hit all four pockets, but it carried.”
What’s next?
“I’ve been throwing it pretty well and that was nice,” Shankle said, “so I’m hoping to get more.”
800 SERIES THIS SEASON
1, Jalen Mosely (Wayne Lanes) 838; 2, Keith Zeigler (Park Centre) 833; 3, Jim Williams (Park Centre) 823; 4, Dustin Dingler (Park Centre) 822; 5, Max Shankle (Park Centre) 813; 6, Bucky Williams (Eastbury) 812; 7, (tie) Jim Williams (Park Centre), Dan Block (Park Centre) and J.D. Jones (Eastbury) 805; 10, Jeff Mowls (Park Centre) 804.