Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Abbatticchio was among the first wave of professional football players. He began his professional football career with the Latrobe Athletic Association in 1895, where he starred as a fullback and kicker. In 1896, Abbatticchio kicked a 23-yard kicked field goal to help give Latrobe a 5-0 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. After their season ended, Abbatticchio and several Latrobe players such as John Brallier and Harry Ryan traveled to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and played for that town's local team against a team from DuBois. The game lasted only 12 minutes before a riot ended play with Punxsutawney leading, 12-0. In 1897, Abbatticchio reportedly kicked several field goals against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, which resulted in a in a 47-0 Latrobe win,