1916 Gene plays for the National Union of San Francisco. Late in the season he joins the Redwood City Baseball Team. July 30 Redwood City 1917 Gene gets some spring trainning with Spokane of the Northwest League. Returns to San Francisco to win the city Amateur Championship for the Hynes Tigers, while Lefty O'Doul pitches openning day for Redwood City. O'Doul had been at Spring Training with the Seals and was inroute to Des Moines of the Westen League.
Gene rejoins Redwood City baseball team.
Gene debuts in professional baseball with the Aberdeen Black Cats of the Pacific Coast International League. League instability and WW1 cut the season short. Gene's pitching record is 10 W - 8L. Gene serves as a Merchant Marine. Teammates included Lew Fonseca, and Wee Willie Ludolph. 1920 Gene's Granat Bros. catcher, Tom Casey, Goes to spring trainning with the world champion Reds, is farmed out to Terreh Haute of the 3-I League.