Skip was a shortstop, second baseman and outfielder who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodger in 1979 and spent three years in their organization. During that period, Mann played on the Lethbridge Dodgers team that won the Pioneer League title in 1979. He also played for Dodgers’ farm clubs at Lodi, California and Vero Beach, Florida. In May 1980, he was Player of the Month for Vero Beach.

Mann was the starting shortstop for the University of Missouri – St. Louis, when he was drafted by the Dodgers. He played three seasons at UMSL, earning honorable mention as an All-American in 1978-79. In 1977, he helped the Rivermen advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series as a freshman. The Rivermen advanced to the NCAA Regionals all three years he played there. His career batting average at UMSL was .320 with 133 hits, 26 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs and 86 RBIs. He ranks fifth in UMSL history in stolen bases with 68 and is 10th all-time in triples with 10. He tied a school record with five hits against McKendree College on April 5, 1979. He was co-captain of the UMSL team in 1979. In 2010, Mann was inducted into the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame.

Mann played for CBC High School from 1972 to 1975. In the summer of 1977, he played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League. During the summer of 1978, Skip was on the Staunton Braves in the Virginia Valley League.