Harley, nicknamed “H”, received his education at Ashland High School, Southern Oregon State College and University of Oregon. He began his fastpitch softball career in Medford in 1964 playing third baseman. Jack Brown, first baseman, Don Jaquette, pitcher, Vern Collins, shortstop, Mike Glines, and himself on second, for the Crater Lake Ford team. The team won the league title and took second in state that year.

Over the next 20 years, Harley continued playing, eleven of those years with the Malot Mudhens. They won the league title all eleven years and the state title six of those years. He played every position, but pitcher, and won at least one All-Star award at each of those positions at various times, his most frequent position being catcher. He caught notables, such as Jess Collier, Vern Collins, and Jimmy Moore, winning All State honors six times as a catcher.

Harley was selected M.V.P of the Jackson County Softball Association four times and was also awarded four MVP awards at various tournaments. He was two league batting titles and four at different tournaments throughout the years, being among the top five hitters fifteen out of 20 years that he played in the Jackson County Softball Association.