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Brother Rice Twins Enjoying The Recruiting Process

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LAKE ORION - The Van Ameyde family has become synonymous with the sport of baseball in the state of Michigan.

The head of the household, Mark Van Ameyde, is currently the pitching coach at Michigan State, his second stint at the Big 10 university. A former head coach at Eastern Michigan, Van Ameyde has also spent time coaching at St. Mary’s College, Georgetown and the University of Detroit-Mercy, where he is an alum, graduating in 1996.

Eldest son Chase, a senior at Brother Rice High School, is the top-rated 2024 right-handed pitcher in the state and a Notre Dame commit.

Twin brothers Cash and Cole are a year younger and now heavily involved in the recruiting process as junior year of high school approaches the midway mark.

“Baseball is the most important thing in this family,” Chase said. “It’s been really cool that all three of us have been able to enjoy the game of baseball and have the opportunity to play at the next level.”

There has been no pressure put on by his father according to Chase.

“My dad, even though he was a coach, he never forced us to enjoy or play baseball which I think has definitely helped me and my brothers enjoy the game,” Chase related. “It has never felt like a job, rather a thing we enjoy and something we are blessed to do.”

That is something his parents, Mark and Melissa Van Ameyde, instilled in him as well as his siblings.

“We wanted them to grow up to be good people with strong character,” Mark explained. “I think athletics was just something our family always did, it’s my way of life and I enjoy watching sports when I’m not coaching. So, I think it was just always there. We never felt like we had to require them to play, it was almost understood.

“When it came to actually playing sports, the main theme from us as parents was to play the game as hard as possible,” Mark continued. “Be willing to do what most people don’t want to do. You should not leave an event or game where another kid played harder than you did. So, it wasn’t about success as much as effort.”

That advice has proven beneficial in the baseball journey to join older brother Chase in playing at the next level

“Since I started playing baseball it’s been a dream to play as long as I can, especially since I was born into baseball since T-Ball,” Cash noted.

Added Cole: “As long as I’ve played baseball it’s always been ‘our three’s dream’. Dad instilled in us that if it’s a dream you have to work as hard as you can to do it. I didn’t always do that, but once I saw Chase working and getting recruited that motivated me to not just practice with the team, but work outside of that.”

THE DRIVE TO IMPROVE

In order to follow in the footsteps of their older sibling to play baseball at the Division I level, the twins understand a strong work ethic is needed.

“I was naturally gifted but between my freshman and sophomore year I had a rough summer,” Cole related. “This summer I did well hitting and pitching. I’ve been working at the Brother Rice facility and working out at 2SP five times a week for a couple of months since summer and gained 15 pounds.”

Cash is also making strides.

“Over the last year I’ve worked on my base running,” the top-ranked 2025 outfielder in Michigan said. “Speed is a big advantage I have. Hitting-wise, I’m working on barrelling up the ball, thinking less on mechanics, and that’s helping. Defensively, I’m working on getting jumps on the ball.”

Adam Goodwin, Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Scouting, sees both players on the right path.

“Cole, the bigger of the two twins, has position flexibility and showed as a two-way at the Future Games at LakePoint,” Goodwin said in reference to the premier summer event of the year where both were part of Team Michigan. “He has a compact delivery with a low 3/4 slot and is up to 87 miles an hour and 2200 RPM. He’s a smooth defender in the middle who can be moved around. He shows confidence and smooth actions defensively.

“Cash is a dynamic player with a good feel for the game and ability to really have productive at-bats,” Goodwin continued. “He runs a 6.8 60 and has a simplistic swing with more of a bat-to-ball combination. He also has a vibrant personality that would make a great addition to any locker room at the next level.”

SCHOOLS SHOWING INTEREST 

The recruiting process has taken off since both showed out at the prestigious Prep Baseball event in Georgia.

“After the Future Games I was excited for Aug. 1,” Cash said about the day college coaches were permitted to first make contact with 2025 players under the new recruitment rule. “I had contact with Brown and Michigan State, and DM’d with Baylor and Butler, colleges like that. Since then Butler and Michigan want to get eyes on me. I also visited Oakland and they offered. Michigan State also offered.”

Recruitment has been going well for his twin brother, too.

“On Aug. 1 it started slow other than the usual emails and messages that ‘we saw you at the Future Games and to come down to a camp,’” Cole related. “But since then it’s really picked up. I got an offer from Michigan State where dad’s a coach and visited Oakland and got an offer as well. I’ve also been in contact but not offered from George Washington and Butler with Cash. Those are the four that have contacted me the most. And I’ve had a couple of emails from places like Cincinnati.”

Both enjoyed the trip together to Oakland.

“The coaches really showed an interest, recruiting us not as a package but individually,” Cole explained. “I talked to a pitcher there and liked how he talked about it. I really liked (head) coach (Jordan) Banfield.”

Cash also had high thoughts about the visit to the university just 15 minutes from home.

“It’s different with two of us instead of just one of us on a visit,” Cash said. “We haven’t been talked to by all the same colleges. It’s cool but kind of weird when they’re recruiting both of us. Oakland was trying to recruit us separately, not like we’re twin brothers, which was nice.”

RECRUITING ADVICE

So how much conversation do the two have with each other when it comes to their recruitment?

“We talked a little after Oakland and we’ll tell each other if a school contacts us,” Cash said.

The discussion doesn’t end there.

“We say stuff like ‘what’d you think about the campus, what about the coaches, do you see yourself playing there or playing there together,’” Cole explained. “We say, ‘Do we want to pursue this?’ Being twins we give each other advice, stuff like ‘you’d fit in well there.’”

Additional advice has also been passed along.

“Dad said to take your time,” Cash related. “He’s tried to stay out of influencing our choice, (saying) we don’t owe him to go to Michigan State. It’s more been advice on how to talk to coaches and show yourself on visits. He wants us to make the decision that’s right for both of us.”

Cole understands how helpful it can be to have a coach as a father when it comes to the recruiting process.

“I’m very lucky to have my dad,” Cole said. “He wants us to take it slow. He’s seen kids get their first offer, commit right away and then fizzle out. He wants us to find a place that’s right for us. We don’t have to play for him. Play where we feel comfortable. He’s not trying to make sure we go to Michigan State. He wants us to follow up on everything and find which school feels like home to us. He’s really been helpful.”

Their father is only looking out for what is in the best interests of the twins, which will turn 17 on Jan. 29.

“I’ve tried to be a sounding board when it comes to the recruiting process,” Mark said. “I want them to experience some different things and find a place that they feel comfortable. I would love for them to play for me at Michigan State, but I want them to make their own decision. I try not to push them in any direction when it comes to recruiting, take it all in and I’m there to answer questions or give some advice.”

While his recruitment was different, Chase also has suggestions for his brothers.

“I told them to really enjoy the process and really take it in,” Chase explained. “It only happens once and you should enjoy it because it’s fun. I told them how I’m happy about my recruiting but I thought at times I didn’t enjoy the process. Looking back on it now, I wish I took it in more and was a little more present in the moment. So that’s what I have told them - enjoy it because when it’s over you want to look back on it and be happy with how you handled it.”

Help from older brother is much appreciated.

“What I learned from his recruitment was from overhearing him talking to coaches,” Cole related. “He does that well. I took some of his questions and I’ve used that to ask coaches. I also learned to take your time. He was recruited by schools from Notre Dame to the MAC and he followed up on all of them.”

COLLEGE THOUGHTS

What exactly are the twins looking for in a college?

“For me, I’m looking for a place that feels like home,” Cash said. “I want coaches that I know will help develop me further. School-wise, the size and how far from home it is doesn’t matter. I want to feel like I’m at home and be with a team that has success.”

Cole also has an idea of what he hopes to find.

“As I’ve looked at schools it doesn’t matter how big it is,” Cole pointed out. “But I do like to play against the best competition. In terms of coaches, the thing that stands out is the interest they’ve shown throughout the summer and if they’re recruiting me and Cash differently versus recruiting one and then getting the other to come along. Oakland recruited me differently, showing interest in me which was what I was looking for. I also don’t want to go too far from home. But it doesn’t have to be in Michigan.”

Each is confident about making an impact wherever they end up.

“Other than physical ability on the field hitting or pitching, I’m a great teammate,” Cole expressed. “I always pull for my teammates even if they’re battling me for the same position. I’m also a very hard worker. I show up every day on time and work hard every day for my teammates and myself.

“I’m also versatile. I can play all three infield positions and I’m playing outfield this year (with Brother Rice). I’ll lay down a bunt. I’ll do anything to help the team win.”

For Cash, it’s simple.

“I’ll work my best to be better than the guy next to me,” Cash said.

A LOT OF OPTIONS

With a number of colleges showing an interest, has the recruiting process been what was expected?

“I’m pretty comfortable with all of it,” related Cash. “For the most part it’s what I thought.

“I learned a lot from Chase,” added the 15th-rated 2025 in Michigan. “His process went pretty fast. He went to the Future Games and committed within three or four months. I’m trying to take my time and see how many opportunities I get. I learned not to rush. But we’re two different people. What works for him won’t necessarily work for me.”

The same goes for Cole.

“It’s what I expected, only because I’ve had experience with it,” the third-rated junior shortstop in the state said. “I’ve seen my dad do it and Chase go through it. It’s pretty much what I was expecting.

“But doing it at the same time as my brother is definitely interesting with twins being recruited to play Division I baseball. It’s a plus we get to talk about how we feel about a school, taking visits and being contacted by some coaches, but we don’t want to be seen as being recruited together.”

Still, going on to college to be a student-athlete together after high school is a possibility.

“It really doesn’t matter if we go to the same school,” Cash said. “Parts of it would be cool, being with your brother another four years, but there is a downside. I look at college as a way to get away from the family. But if we go to the same school I’ll still be with him.”

Cole can see it go either way.

“I’ve played with him my whole life,” Cole pointed out. “I can see living separately at the same school or going to different schools as possibilities. I’m weighing it all in terms of options.”

Could Notre Dame and being with Chase be an option?

“It would be the same situation as with Cole,” Cash explained. “It would obviously be sweet to go to Notre Dame, but I don’t know if I’m too excited to follow Chase.”

Then there is always the thought of going where their father is a coach.

“I definitely see good and bad,” Chase related about attending MSU. “It would be great to be coached by my dad and Michigan State is Power 5 baseball, that’s a plus. But the bad is my dad has coached me my whole life. Do I want to hear his voice? I’ve thought a lot about the pros and cons of going to Michigan State. Did I earn the offer? There’s just a lot to think about with the whole thing.”

Then there is the idea of being a two-way player at the next level.

“Most of my recruitment is as a two-way, but I’m really interested in the pitching part from the Future Games and from summer,” said Cole, a 6-1 180-pounder ranked 21st in the state in the 2025 class. “I really enjoy the two-way idea but I know how tough it is to do both at a high level. I probably want to pitch more and be more successful with that. My dad’s a pitching coach, he’s done that his whole life, so I’d kind of like to do that.”

Cash, a left-handed pitcher when not in the outfield, has a lot to consider.

“Oakland talked about two-way a little, but the others want more eyes on me and right now think of me strictly as an outfielder,” the 5-10 165-pounder said. “Two-way would be cool, but I definitely enjoy the outfield and hitting. That’s the main thing I’m looking for.”

DECISION TIME COMING

As for a timeline on a decision, neither has one set.

“If I see an opportunity great, but if nothing is full blown I’m probably not going to commit until the end of high school season or in the summer,” Cash said. “If something good comes up before I might pull the trigger, but I have no specific timeline. Taking my time is the big thing. I have no set time to commit.”

Cole has similar thoughts.

“I don’t have any visits scheduled,” Cole said. “I’m going to a Cincinnati camp coming up. They’ve been contacting me a lot, and I may turn it into a visit for them.

“In the next couple months I’m also going to a tournament in Florida over the Martin Luther King holiday. If I play well I hope to get something there. Along with the Cincinnati camp, I’ll also call Oakland again. Then there’s a big spring and summer season ahead. I don’t know if I’ll be committing before spring, I’ll just have to see what interest there is and go from there.

“There’s no rush,” Cole concluded. “I’m not going to wait forever, but there’s no timeline. In the next four or five months would be nice, but there’s no set time.”

While the process is in the later stages with a decision coming in the near future, their father is just happy to have them hold the same love for the game as he does.

“It’s hard for me to describe what it means to have boys playing the game I love at a high level,” Mark said. “I don’t think I fully appreciate how unique and special it is. I’m obviously very proud of each one of them. It means a lot to me that they enjoy playing baseball, and I feel very blessed that they have some ability to play the game that I’ve devoted my life to. Watching them brings me joy.”

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