After a successful high school baseball career at Proctor High School in Utica, NY JT signed to the University of Louisville as a shortstop, playing all infield positions along with catching throughout his collegiate career. The switch hitting infielder led the Cardinals to Conference Tournament bids each year along with a Regional berth in 2002.
LaFountain concluded his collegiate career with several Hitter of the Week honors along with being selected to the All Conference Team in 2002 and 2003. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2004 after missing that season due to a knee injury. JT signed with the NY Yankees as a free agent after his 2005 senior season.
As a Yankee, LaFountain spent his first season in 2005 in the Florida Gulf Coast League mainly as a catcher as well as a 3rd and 2nd baseman. This A ball Yankee team would go on to win the FGCL championship that season. In 2006, JT was a member of the Charleston Riverdogs A ball club in the Southern Atlantic League. He performed well as a catcher, 3rd, 2nd, 1st baseman as well as a right and left fielder. LaFountain spent his last professional baseball season with the AA club out of Trenton, NJ. The Trenton Thunder had an impressive 19-1 start to the season and continued its success by winning the Atlantic League Championship in 2007. LaFountain contributed at 3rd, 2nd, 1st base, catcher, left field and right field.
Another elbow surgery ended his playing career after the 2007 season.
In 2008 he married former U of L and National Professional Fastpitch Softball League
