A special night for the Mitchells

When Rick Mitchell stepped up to the podium to deliver his York-Adams Bowling Hall of Fame induction speech last month, he looked into the audience and focused on his father, Hayden.

It was a special night for the Mitchells. It marked the first time in the hall of fame’s 47-year history that a son delivered an induction speech while his father, also a hall of famer, was in the audience.

The Mitchells became just the third father-son members of the York-Adams Bowling Hall of Fame. The elite group includes Ralph and Tom Dasher and Bob and Terry Huber. Tom was inducted in 2004, three years before his father, Ralph. Terry, part of the 2011 class of inductees, joined his late father Bob, who was posthumously inducted in 1997.

“It was definitely a special moment,” said Hayden, 71, of York, who was inducted into the hall of fame in 1998. The proud father started his son bowling at age four. “Bowling is something Rick and I have been able to share, and it has helped our relationship.”

As a youngster, Rick tagged along to watch his father compete in leagues, learning from him and others. “He was around the best bowlers in the county,” commented Hayden.

When Rick got older, he and his father bowled in leagues together.

“It’s an honor to join my father in the hall of fame because he’s been one of my biggest supporters,” said 40-year-old Rick of East Berlin. “It was nice to hear other hall of famers congratulate my father on being the driving force behind my success.”

Hayden served as a junior bowling instructor when Rick was growing up and learning to bowl. While he tried to impart as much knowledge and advice as possible, he resisted the urge to switch Rick from a left-handed bowler to a right-handed bowler.

“Dad allowed me to do what came naturally,” said Rick. “He didn’t force me to follow in his footsteps as a right-hander.”

Rick has made the most from rolling on the left side of the lane. He owns 35 perfect games and 33 800 series, including a high of 836. He achieved his high average of 240 during the 2008-09 season.

“I was never the super bowler that Rick is,” commented Hayden. “He has accomplished so much.”

In the end, however, Rick’s biggest achievement was to join his father in the hall of fame.

“It was nice to look into the audience and see my father so happy,” said Rick. “I just wish Terry’s father had been alive to see him inducted. It’s a night that will live with me forever.”