Gastfield got his start in baseball playing for the West End team in the Chicago City League. He then went with
pitcher Charlie Getzien to play for the ball club at
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gastfield was a catcher for Grand Rapids in the first half of the 1884 season. In August 1884, Gastfield and Getzien joined the
Detroit Wolverines, both players making their debut on August 13, 1884. Gastfield appeared in 23 games for the 1884 Wolverines, compiling a .073
batting average with 34
strikeouts in 84
at bats. He began the 1885 season with Detroit, but appeared in only one game for the team. Gastfield played one game for the
Chicago White Stockings on July 11, 1885. Gastfield went hitless in six at bats during the 1885 season. Gastfield also played minor league baseball for the
Oshkosh ball club in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1886 and 1887. In the spring of 1887, the Oshkosh correspondent to
The Sporting Life wrote: "He is an A No. 1 back stop, and a good all-round player, distinguishing himself especially on first base. As a thrower and base-runner he has few, if any, superiors. He is a hard worker and plays ball first, last and all the time. He is considered quite an acquisition to the club, especially as he is very popular and possesses considerable drawing power both at home and abroad." He also played for the ball club in
Omaha, Nebraska, in 1888. ==Death==