 Bates made his professional debut with Altoona, a Class B level team in the Tri-State League, in 1911.During his career he also played with Newport News, a Class C team in the Virginia League, in 1912; Cleveland, a AA team in the American Association, in 1914; Portland, a Class AA team in the Pacific Coast League, in 1915; Vernon, a Class AA team in the Pacific Coast League, in 1916; Los Angeles, a Class AA team in the Pacific Coast League, in 1919; Seattle, a Class AA team in the Pacific Coast League, in 1921; Oklahoma City and Omaha, both Class A teams of the Western League, in 1922; and finished his career with Reading, a Class AA team of the International League, in 1923.Bates had his best hitting season in 1921 hitting .338.