He began his pitching career in 1937 with the Ponca City Angels of the Class C Western Association, a farm club of the Chicago Cubs.

His appearance in the 1970s came in a Major League uniform during his tenure as the pitching coach of the Houston Astros, when he hurled in an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at the Astrodome at the age of 56 in 1973.

In addition, Kittle was general manager of the Yakima Bears, and both the Hawaii Islanders and Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast circuit.

He spent five years on Houston's MLB staff, and was the team's pitching coach in 1973, working with celebrated pitchers such as Larry Dierker, J. R. Richard and Don Wilson.

"[2] Late in life, Kittle maintained his connection to baseball in the Pacific Northwest as a special, part-time pitching instructor in the Seattle Mariners' organization.