Fowler first played for an all-white professional team based out of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1872. He was 14 years old. He is documented as playing for another professional team on July 21, 1877. He was 19. On April 24, 1878, he pitched a game for the Picked Nine, who defeated the Boston Red Caps, champions of the National League in 1877. He pitched some more for the Chelsea team, then finished that season with the Worcester club.