[1] Nance opened 1895 with the Fort Worth Panthers but he left the team shortly thereafter to join the Sherman Orphans, which began playing this season.

[2] He began the 1901 season with the Grand Rapids Furniture Makers of the Western Association, but was quickly signed by the Detroit Tigers of the American League.

[1] Nance achieved a career feat on July 13, 1901, when he collected a six-hit game at Bennett Park, helping the Tigers defeat the Cleveland Blues by a 19–12 score.

From 1902 until mid-season 1905, Nance played for Class-A Kansas City Blues, one of the eight founding members of the American Association.

[2] In 1910, Nance played for a full season with the Jackson Tigers the Cotton States League, only to return to the Panthers in 1911.

He began the 1912 season with the Panthers, but later played with two other Texas League teams, the Beaumont Oilers and the San Antonio Bronchos.

[2][6] Nance returned to the Panthers in 1915 as their player-manager, with a similar result, departing on June 15 when the team while in fifth place, again with Atz as his replacement.

[8] In 1925, Nance worked as general manager of the Smokers and, when he was introduced to future Hall of Fame catcher, Al López, he gave him a tryout.