Gene Legler
Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2023
Inducted : March 2024, Syracuse, NY
Gene was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He currently lives in Justin, Texas with his wife
Debbie, children Kaleigh and Michael, and grandchildren Luka and Elias. From the ages of 10-
14 Gene spent his summer days playing VFW softball for the #42 school rec team. At night the
games continued as his entire Charlotte neighborhood would gather back at #42 school to play
until the sun set.
Gene started his adult softball career in 1978 playing with his friends on local teams in
Rochester. Growing up, he enjoyed watching his brother, Glen play with his Masters Del team
and set a goal of someday playing with them. In 1983 Gene joined Glen and Scott Virkus on the
Masters Del team as they changed sponsors to the Garage Door.
The Garage Door won their league numerous times as well as many tournaments in the Northeast
between 1983 – 1985. They finished 4th out of 92 teams in the USSSA B World Tournament in
1983, where Gene led the tournament in home runs and made his first All World Team.
In 1986, Gene and Scott Virkus became the first two Rochester players named to the Major
Players List.
In 1987 Gene joined Dave Brightman on Pat Kehoe’s sponsored Pace Electronics team. Pace
won the NSA A World Title in Chattanooga, TN and Gene joined Dave and others on the All-
World Team. In 1990 Pace finished second in the USSSA A World Tournament in Kalamazoo,
Michigan. Gene won the home run title and made his third All World Team. Dave won the
batting title and Gene finished second.
Gene was a career .600 hitter, hitting over 1,000 home runs in league and tournament play,
winning many home run and MVP titles and was selected to numerous all tournament teams.
Years of powerlifting and softball caused rotator cuff issues and Gene had to retire from softball
in 1991. He currently runs a non-profit in Dallas, Texas named Helping Hands and Caring Hearts
of America. The organization provides college scholarships to minority students from lowincome
backgrounds and school supplies, food, and clothing to those less fortunate and
homeless.
Gene would like to thank the directors, organizers, and selection committee for this great honor.
It is truly appreciated.
