Morris was the youngest player in the fast Independent League at Fairgrounds Park in 1922, when at age 14 ½ he played regularly. In 1933, performing for the Rosenblooms, Novack led the strong Empire League in hitting with a batting average of .446. He played professionally under the name of Joe Novak. He also managed and played semi-pro ball in Minot, North Dakota; Covington, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio, and Quincy, Illinois.