A native of Michigan, Kitson played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles (1898–1899), Brooklyn Superbas (1900–1902), Detroit Tigers (1903–1905), Washington Senators (1906–1907), and New York Highlanders (1907).

[1] The first record of Kitson's professional baseball career is in 1895 when he played for the Grand Rapids Gold Bugs in the Western League.

In his second season in Baltimore, Kitson appeared in 40 games and compiled a 22-16 record in 326+2⁄3 innings pitched.

[1] He ranked among the National League leaders with a 2.77 ERA (sixth), 22 wins (10th), and 34 complete games (10th).

[1] The Orioles folded after the 1899 season, and a number of players, including Kitson, were transferred the Brooklyn Superbas.

[5] He was a key player for the 1900 Brooklyn team that compiled an 82-54 to win the National League pennant.

He ranked among the National League's leaders with 19 wins (eighth), 109 strikeouts (ninth), and 29 complete games (10th).

[1] On December 5, 1905, the Tigers traded Kitson to the Washington Senators in exchange for Happy Townsend.

[1] Kitson died in April 1930 at his farm located two-and-a-half miles north of Allegan, Michigan.