GABE LEONE

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
School: Xavier High School
Positions: Catcher, Second Base

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For 17-year-old Gabriel “Gabe” Leone, baseball has been both a passion and a path to leadership. A student at Xavier High School in New York City, Gabe has built his game around grit, teamwork, and pride in his Jewish identity—qualities that shined brightly during his Maccabi Games experience.

 

Gabe competed in the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games, where his favorite memories were winning gold and bonding with teammates in the dorms. But the experience also carried deep personal meaning. “It helped me to connect with my Jewish faith, especially at a time with so much tension,” he shares. Attending a Catholic school, Gabe sometimes finds it hard to connect with others who share his faith. The Maccabi Games bridged that gap. “It helped me to connect with other Jewish people,” he says, making the experience about more than baseball—it was about belonging.

 

Gabe has been playing baseball for 12 years, competing for programs like 110 Baseball, SFX Huskies, Power Baseball Fort Lauderdale, and NYC Rising Stars. His heart, though, belongs behind the plate. “I love catching because it gives me an opportunity to be a leader and take charge on the field,” he explains.

His dad has been his biggest influence, always pushing and encouraging him to be the best version of himself both on and off the field. That guidance has shaped Gabe’s goals: he hopes to play college baseball while also preparing for a future career in finance. “I want to one day get a job in finance and lead a selfless life,” he says.

 

When it comes to baseball idols, Gabe points to San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. “He is always working on his craft even though he is already the best catcher in baseball,” Gabe admires—a reflection of the work ethic and humility he strives to bring to his own game.

 

And while most know him as a competitor in cleats and gear, Gabe has another passion—photography. “I am a photographer when I’m not playing baseball,” he says, showing his creative side beyond the diamond.

 

Gabe Leone is more than just a catcher—he’s a leader, a teammate, and a young man who proudly represents his community. With discipline, talent, and vision for his future, his story is only beginning.