 Born in Scotia, California, he attended Fortuna Union High School then College of the Redwoods.Niemann originally signed with the New York Yankees after he was selected in the second round of the secondary phase of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft, and his active career spanned 14 pro seasons (1975–88).In the Major Leagues, he worked in 200 innings pitched, and allowed 219 hits and 82 bases on balls, with 102 strikeouts, three saves and three complete games.