the remaining detailed description second shift plane 44 defines a second orthogonal axis c substantially perpendicular to the first orthogonal axis b about which shift lever 32 is permitted to pivot a third linear shift plane 46 is provided at a second end of neutral cross over path 40 between the highest forward gear ratio e g fifth gear and the reverse gear ratio while an exemplary shift pattern is shown and described it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shift assembly 10 of the present invention can be utilized with other conventional shift patterns in the preferred embodiment shift mechanism 30 further includes a partially spherical fulcrum ball 50 disposed centrally on elongated shift lever 32 and a rocking shaft 52 disposed on fulcrum ball 50 rocking shaft 52 includes first and second ends 54 56 and is oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by elongated shift lever 32 to provide mounting means for operatively mounting shift mechanism with respect to housing 14 of transmission 12 the shifter assembly 10 of the present invention further includes a shift tower 60 shift tower 60 includes an external surface 62 having a generally rectangular horizontal cross section in the preferred embodiment external surface 62.