Jack Martin was from Plainfield, New Jersey, played baseball at Plainfield High School and for the town’s amateur clubs. By 1909 he had attracted considerable attention as a slick fielding shortstop for the New Brunswick Brunswicks, one of the top semipro teams in the area. The club not only played other semipro teams but took on pro teams, including some major-league teams. A brilliant fielder, Jack was not much of a hitter.

In August 1909, Jack got a trial with the Worcester Busters of the New England League, but he did not get into any games. He started the 1910 season back with the Brunswicks, but was sent back up to Worcester in April. In 29 games for Worcester, the hit .208 with only three extra-base hits, so in late July, he was returned to New Brunswick.

During the offseason, Jack was signed by the New York Highlanders and assigned to Richmond of the Virginia League. In 1911, for the first time in his career, he played the entire season with one team and improved at the plate, hitting .318 for the season.

In October, he was playing for his hometown Plainfield independent club, and spent the winter teaching finer points of the game to members of the Plainfield High School baseball team.

He started the 1912 season with the Rochester Hustlers of the International League but was called up and made his major-league debut in April. During most of the season, Jack was the Highlanders’ regular shortstop, but he only hit .225 and by August he was traded back to Rochester, where he finished the season

Jack remained with the Hustlers and in September 1913, he was drafted by the Boston Braves. The Braves had Rabbit Maranville as their shortstop, so they decided to use Jack as a backup for Charlie Deal at third base. The two would compete for playing time during the first half of the season, but by mid-season it was apparent that Jack was not going to win the competition, so he would be traded to Philadelphia for outfielder Josh Devore in July. At that time the Braves were in last place in the National League, so Jack would have had no part in their drive for the pennant.

Jack would finished the 1914 season with the Phillies, and play his final major-league game in October.