Nottle signed his first professional contract in 1959 with a team in Pensacola, Florida. Following a stellar season at Pensacola, Nottle began a 10-year run with the Chicago White Sox organization. In 1963, he was assigned to the White Sox major league roster, but never played due to an arm injury, making him a "phantom ballplayer". His final appearance as a player was in 1980, when he made a single two-inning appearance for the Double-A West Haven Whitecaps. In 18 minor league seasons, he appeared in 543 games, compiling an 89–75 record with a 3.09 ERA.
