Ralph Semb, right, president of the International Candlepin Bowling Association (ICBA), congratulates James “Jim” Johnson, of Southwick, upon his induction into the ICBA Hall of Fame at DiBurros Function Facility in Haverhill on October 18. (Submitted photo)
SOUTHWICK – When Jim Johnson was 14, a friend introduced him to bowling, and his life changed.
The Southwick resident who grew up in Westfield quickly discovered he had a knack for candlepin bowling and spent his time after school hanging around the Bowling Center and Community Lanes, hoping one of the league teams would need a sub and he could play for free.
The oldest of eight children, Johnson said money was tight and although his father would give him money to play, he tried to get in the leagues to play for free.
“It was my second home,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he’s not sure why he clicked with bowling.
“It was just something I connected with,” he said. “I was an average baseball player and an average basketball player – I wasn’t an all-star – but I could bowl. I had a talent, I kept at it, and I practiced.”
After high school, Johnson was drafted to the U.S. Army and spent two years serving his country. He continued to bowl over the years.
His skills improved and he made his first television appearance on the Boston-based bowling show Candlepin Bowling with Don Gilis at age 25. It was the first of 15 such appearances, which contributed to Johnson’s induction into the International Candlepin Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame last weekend.
Johnson was honored during a ceremony in Haverhill Oct. 18 and was among nine inductees.
His talent was touted during the event, including 10 wins on the Candlepin Bowling show, with a three-string series high score of 392 and a triple strike.
Johnson also performed on another TV show, Big Shot Bowling. His candlepin statistics include a high single of 197, high triple of 492, high five of 782 and a high seasonal average of 129. He also boasts a 1,458 high ten string total. which was bowled Nov. 29, 1980 and was the record at the time.
Fifty-six years after that first game at age 14, Johnson still bowls in a mixed men’s and women’s league at Agawam Bowl three nights a week.
Johnson said the popularity of bowling has declined over the years, mainly because a league is a 33-week commitment, and young people are not introduced to the sport.
“There used to be bowling leagues for kids, but with the Internet and so many other options, kids just aren’t bowling anymore,” he said.
Johnson and his wife Bernadette have two sons, Darren and Kevin, who were both introduced to bowling. Kevin enjoyed the sport and bowled with Johnson into adulthood. Johnson said families don’t do that as much today, and the 60s through 80s were bowling’s prime years.
Johnson recalled several other local bowling greats, such as Jim Orlandi, and noted that bowling was a big part of life in Westfield when he was growing up. And it is still part of his life.
“I still enjoy it and I want to keep the sport alive,” he said.
Johnson received a plaque and pin at the induction ceremony, which he will proudly display.
