Fred began playing amateur baseball in 1922 with the Santa Cruz Knights of Columbus team, in the Muny Leagues. Fred pitched and played the outfield well enough to be named the Most Valuable Player in the strong University City League in 1925. Witte was a major league prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In 1925, while playing at Fort Smith, Arkansas, he was notified that his father had passed away. As the oldest of 10 children, Fred was needed at home to care for the family. His career encompassed 12 years and, while he did not make major leagues, he was instrumental in his brother Jerry’s career with the St. Louis Browns.