Harp, Gene

CONSIDERED BY MANY THE MOST POWERFUL FASTPITCH HITTER KENTUCKY HAS PRODUCED, GENE HIT 258 HOME RUNS IN HIS 11-YEAR CAREER (1958-1968).

HE HOLDS THE UNOFFICIAL RECORD FOR THE LONGEST BALL EVER HIT IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, 460 FEET (SOURCE LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL). A RELIABLE OUTFIELDER AND A CONSTANT THREAT TO BREAK UP ANY CLOSE BALL GAME WITH ONE SWING OF THE BAT.

AMONG GENE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS WAS PLAYING WITH THE LEXINGTON PARKETTE TEAM IN 1962 WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. HE PLAYED WITH THE NATIONAL REGIONAL ALL-STAR TEAM IN 1964 AND HAD 4 HR'S WITH 7 RBI'S: AND IN 1964, HE PLAYED WITH SQUARE D WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. HE PLAYED WITH SQUARE D. 1965 - 1967 AND WAS STATE CHAMPION EACH YEAR. AND. IN 1967. HE PLAYED WITH THE NATIONAL REGIONAL ALL-STAR TEAM.

GENE WAS A PLAYER/MANAGER FOR THE LEXINGTON KENTUCKY MERCHANTS DURING 1968 WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND WAS VOTED KY STATE TOURNAMENT MVP HAVING 2 HR'S AND 6 RBI'S IN THE FINAL GAME. HIS LIFETIME BATTING AVERAGE WAS .321. GENE WAS VOTED MVP AND MADE MANY ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS DURING HIS CAREER. THIS AWARD IS IN RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING ABILITY AS DEMONSTRATED IN FASTPITCH SOFTBALL COMPETITION.