January 27, 2015

Nine Innings with EMU Coach Mark Van Ameyde

By Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

In 2008, Eastern Michigan started its season 0-17 only to win 25 of its final 40, including a MAC Tourney title, to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Its coach that year was Jake Boss Jr., who was hired the previous November after the fall season had concluded. Joining him was Mark Van Ameyde, who was hired during the Christmas Break.

After six years with Boss at Michigan State, Van Ameyde returns to Eastern Michigan, this time as head coach. He inherits an Eagles team that went 19-34 a year ago.

Van Ameyde took time to answer questions from CBI about leaving Michigan State and his first head coaching job.

First Inning – What made this the right time and place for your first D-I head coaching job?
I had experience here in 2008, winning the MAC Championship, so I had some familiarity. I know we can win here, and the administration is supportive in our vision for the program. I also felt that after 14 years as an assistant, I wanted the ability to run my own program. Having said that, it had to be the right opportunity and fit for my family.

Second Inning – This will be your second stint at EMU. What do you remember from 2008, when the Eagles won the MAC title?
A few things really jump out to me from that year. The first was Jake Boss got the head job after fall practice was over, and I came from Georgetown to be the pitching coach at Christmas break, so we didn’t have time to practice together until January. This may have contributed to our 0-17 start; everything that could go wrong, did. We found any number of ways to lose games, but we started conference play by sweeping Miami at home, two of those in extra innings, and the whole atmosphere changed. And, of course celebrating the MAC Tournament Championship with a 12-4 win over Kent State was the pinnacle of the season, and there is nothing better than celebrating a championship in a dogpile on the field.

Third Inning – How did your six years at Michigan State prepare you for being a head coach?
It helped me with patience, trusting myself and others, how to deal with administration, the alumni, expectations and the media. Our success at the Big Ten level, winning a conference championship, earning a Regional spot, coaching and preparing guys for games in hostile environments with big crowds really allowed me to be more relaxed in my dealing with the failure and frustration of baseball. I think I became better in prioritizing what is important to get our club ready for the season, having seen what did and didn’t work for us at MSU. Finally, having a hand in putting the program in a better place than when we got there in 2008 is very satisfying and helps me as we look to do the same here at Eastern Michigan.

Fourth Inning – How difficult was it to leave the Spartans?
It was very difficult to leave MSU. I had worked there longer than any other school I have been with and developed many good relationships that were tough to leave. Jake is a good friend of mine, I had been with him since he got his first head opportunity at EMU in 2008, so it certainly felt like we accomplished a lot together. When I coach, I really try to develop those close relationships. Calling the players and telling them I was taking this job was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.

Fifth Inning – A pitcher in college at Detroit Mercy and a pitching coach, how involved will you be with the pitchers at EMU?
I’m actually going to be very involved, still acting as pitching coach along with my head coach duties. This is a new challenge but I wasn’t prepared to give up the pitching responsibilities just yet.

Sixth Inning – What are three things you look for when recruiting pitchers?
Athletic, competitiveness and easy-arm action. If they’re athletic, I believe they will have more room to grow and make adjustments easier. They have to compete at a high level, have a burning desire to improve and always looking for solutions to problems. Also, easy-arm action describes a guy who looks like he is not exerting much effort to get the ball to the plate, yet is throwing with some level of velocity. I think those guys also have more upside down the road.

Seventh Inning – What are a couple things most high school pitchers learn they need to improve upon in college?
The game is moving really fast compared to high school baseball. That plays with their mind early, and the sooner they can slow the game down, the better they will be. Also, the same can be said with the running game. I think most guys come in with very little idea on how to control that aspect of their pitching, and we put a premium on being able to do that well.

Eighth Inning – Who are some of your coaching influences?
My Dad for starters; he didn’t coach as his profession, but I think he could have. I learned what it means to find a way into each individual, that not all the guys will learn the same or understand concepts in the same way. The coaches I played for and worked with throughout my life have all influenced me in one way or another. I have always tried to watch them, pick their brains and see what I think would work for me and what doesn’t. I have been very fortunate to work for not only great coaches, but great men. Chris Czarnik, Pete Wilk and Jake Boss are really good people who I would do anything for, and I know they would do the same.

Ninth Inning – What are some of your immediate goals for EMU?
We need to much better defensively and on the mound. We also need more depth on the pitching staff that we feel we have addressed in the 2015 recruiting class. But, I do feel we have the ability on this team to compete for a conference tournament berth and a MAC Championship. I cannot accept the thought that it could take a couple of years to get to where we want to go. It may, but I am very focused and determined to see a big turnaround in our record this season.

(photo courtesy of EMU Media Relations)