Before coming to the AAGPBL, Shirley helped her local softball team as a pitcher and outfielder and leading hitter win the regionals in Wisconsin. The Belles had her play in the outfield in spring trainning and they felt she would make a solid all-around player. Both her brother and father were baseball players and helped her develop her skills at an early age.   She was a leading hitter for 20 years in the Wisconsin fast pitch league.