Hickman was born in Taylortown, Pennsylvania and played one season of college baseball with the West Virginia Mountaineers in 1897. Despite being saddled with the nickname 'Piano Legs,' Hickman was an above-average base runner who amassed 91 career triples and several inside-the-park home runs. He also had an above-average range factor throughout his career (although a sub-par fielder; in 1900 he set a record by committing 86 errors as a third baseman). He helped the Beaneaters win the 1897 and 1898 National League pennants.