Les Duncan began his storied softball career in 1969 as an ASA umpire. From 1972 to 1980 he was ASA Area Director and umpired four National ASA tournaments. After going independent in 1981, Duncan rose to the position of National Director for all 16-inch softball for the country, a position he held until 1994 when the USSSA and the ASA joined forces. Duncan was responsible for all divisions of the USSSA Men’s and Women’s Nationals. In 1991 Duncan started the Chicago Classic softball tournament, which became one of the biggest 16-inch tournaments in the world with over 1600 teams participating over the past seven years. In 1998 Les received the Lifetime Chicago Softball Achievement Award. Besides umpiring and organizing, Duncan had a television show Let’s Talk Softball for three years on four cable stations. Les also found time to coach high school basketball for 14 years where he accumulated a 485 – 78 record. He received coach of the year honors from the Chicago Tribune and Coca Cola in 1966 and 1967. Returning to high school basketball coaching as an assistant at Thornton High School in 1991, the Wildcats were ranked second in Illinois with a 28 – 2 mark. Duncan has also organized Pop Warner football leagues, has been president of two park districts, and has been a professional baseball scout with the Chicago Cubs and is currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Les works as an assignment chair for high schools and grade schools and has 650 officials working for him. He retired from Commonwealth Edison in 1991 after 38 years of service.
