 While attending college, the switch hitter began his baseball career, playing with the Indianapolis ABCs and the Detroit Stars.His 1937 record with the Cincinnati Tigers—reportedly batting .404 that season—led to his selection to the West squad of the All-Star game.Elizabeth Brizentine-Taft also reported in "The Indianapolis Recorder" that Bibbs at one time played first base for the "Grays," presumably the Homestead Grays.