 Born 1845 in New York City, Waterman played for the Empire club of his native city in 1865 and for the famous Mutual club (New York Mutuals) the next two years.Some Mutuals players were compensated materially during the amateur era of National Association of Base Ball Players—city employment is one possibility—and Waterman may be considered a candidate.At age 22 Waterman moved to Cincinnati for the 1868 season and played for the original Cincinnati Red Stockings managed by Harry Wright.