Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Abbatticchio was primarily a shortstop and second baseman, though he also saw playing time in the outfield and at third base.

However, the season prior, on October 4, Ed hit a ball into the stands in game against the Chicago Cubs, which was called foul by umpire Hank O'Day, who also ruled on the infamous Merkle's Boner.

The hit eventually evolved into an urban legend that had Abbaticchio's foul ball striking a woman in the stands, to where she required hospital care, and which resulted in her filing a lawsuit against the Cubs.

Wagner also went on to say that he was "an ever lasting credit to baseball, to Pittsburgh, and his home section of Latrobe."

In 1896, Abbatticchio kicked a 23-yard field goal to help give Latrobe a 5-0 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Abbatticchio and two other Latrobe players, tackle Harry Ryan and end Walter Okeson, were chosen to the team.

In 1900, in a two-game series against the Greensburg Athletic Association, he was credited for a 23-yard game-winning field goal kick in the first game.

He is credited by Fielding H. Yost with developing the first spiral punt, enabling the ball to travel farther.