Van Ameyde Will Make It A Family Affair At Michigan State

Cole Van Ameyde SS / RHP / Brother Rice, MI / 2025

LAKE ORION - It was a special day in the Van Ameyde household when the latest commitment was made.

“When I told my dad he was very excited,” Cole Van Ameyde said about the decision to make his college choice Michigan State, where his father Mark is an assistant coach. “Even though he didn’t pressure us, I know he wanted one of us to go there.”

The familiarity with all of the coaching staff played a part in the Brother Rice senior committing to the Big 10 university located 80 minutes from home.

“A connection with the coaches was what I was looking for in any situation I chose,” Van Ameyde explained. “I had more familiarity with them, which is always a plus.”

It was, admittedly, a long recruiting process for the third-rated 2025 shortstop in Michigan.

“I had a lot of people tell me to wait and see other options, and maybe I tried to please them,” Van Ameyde related about finally taking MSU up on an offer that was given a little more than a year ago. “I wanted Michigan State, it’s high-level baseball. I have an opportunity as a freshman for a spot, whether it’s in the infield or outfield with my ability to play many positions.”

The 17-year-old saw his brother, Chase, go through recruitment en route to a commitment to Notre Dame, but his process was not the same.

“My older brother went through the same thing, but it was without the new rule so it was different from mine,” Van Ameyde explained. “He got more calls early. I think the new rule was stressful for me. It wasn’t very fast at first. I thought I’d get a lot more calls but I didn’t get much. I just decided I have to keep working and control what I can control.

“I did a lot of Prep Baseball, the Future Games last year, the Senior Future Games this year and three Junior Future Games. Going to all those events with coaches being there with the notoriety of Prep Baseball, that’s the reason I got all my interest. It was from Prep Baseball. My whole recruitment, everything I got was from showcases and events with Prep Baseball.”

Oakland, Bucknell, Georgetown and Ball State were the other main schools under consideration by the 21st-rated senior in Michigan, whose initial interest from MSU came as a pitcher.

“On Aug. 1 of my sophomore summer head coach (Jake) Boss called me and wanted to see me pitch after he saw me pitch at the Future Games,” Van Ameyde reflected. “I hadn’t pitched much and was just okay.”

It turned out his college position would be as a utility player after a call from infield coach (Andrew) Stone, who presented an offer.

“He had seen me multiple times,” Van Ameyde related. “Last year with Rice I played left field to get in the lineup and they like my ability to play multiple positions well. That’s very valuable with any team, to be able to play a bunch of positions.”

But the process did not go quickly.

“My dad talked to me throughout, asking ‘what are you thinking’ and I said I’m gonna wait,’ Van Ameyde noted. “I never talked to them much junior year, but then in May/June coach Stone started calling more. I ended up calling him two weeks ago to commit.”

Relief followed for the 6-1 180-pounder, whose twin brother Cash is closing in on his college decision.

“My recruitment was great, but it was getting stressful,” Van Ameyde admitted. “It was fun, but it’s a sigh of relief to not have everyone telling you what to do or asking you what you’re going to do. I’m excited to play my senior year of high school and then on to Michigan State.”

Van Ameyde pointed to four people that have been a major part in his baseball journey to college.

“My dad helped get me through this,” Van Ameyde said. “He was the biggest help in my recruitment. Chase, my older brother, was always supportive and giving advice. He’s also been a big help.

“My high school coach (Bob) Riker is another. I talked to him a lot about it. I’ve been around him a long time, and he’s helped so much. Lastly is Joe Fava, my trainer. I’ve worked out with him for seven or eight years. He’s been a big part of getting me physically better each year and ready to play in college.”

Van Ameyde is confident he is prepared for what lies ahead at the next level.

“The thing I can bring is my versatility on defense to play multiple positions,” Van Ameyde explained. “The big thing I can bring right away is a guy that can play five or six positions at a high level and not have to worry about me breaking down. Offensively, I don’t strike out a lot. I put it in play and put pressure on the defense. I know the strike zone and walk a lot and have the ability to steal bases. I think I can make an impact offensively as it goes along.”

Van Ameyde, who carries a 4.1 weighted GPA at Brother Rice and plans to major in an area of business, is excited about his future at Michigan State.

“I’m looking forward to the brotherhood with all the players and the relationships you create with them,” Van Ameyde concluded. “In terms of being in college, I never have been a big fan of school but in talking to the academic person, in college there’s more time to focus on baseball and more free time to choose what you want to do. It’s about having discipline.”