Baseball family helps Ty, Chase Rollin grow on and off field


chase-ty-rollin
Central Michigan baseball brothers Chase and Ty Rollin pose for a portrait on Feb. 20 at the Indoor Athletic Complex.

For the Rollin family, baseball in the state of Michigan began even before Chase and Ty Rollin's father James put on the Maroon and Gold.

In 1991-92, James Rollin transferred from Wright State in Ohio, moved to Mount Pleasant and took the field for Central Michigan.

“He said he just didn’t like being so far away from home,” James’s son, Chase Rollin, said. “He’s happy that he made the switch to CMU.”

Herman Rollin, the grandfather to Chase and Ty Rollin, was a left-handed pitcher for Western Michigan in college. 

The Detroit Tigers made an attempt to sign Herman when he was 16 years old, but he was too young. Even though he is a Bronco, Herman still cheers for his grandsons. 

“He roots for us,” Ty said. “He’s still on our side, but if he’s not, he doesn’t tell us. When he comes over, he throws a few with us while he still can.” 

Chase, a redshirt freshman infielder at Central Michigan, and Ty, a sophomore outfielder, grew up around Chippewa baseball. 

“I wanted to play with my brother and also follow my dad,” Ty said. “Growing up with all my dad’s friends, who also played for CMU, also made me want to come here.” 

CMU head coach Steve Jaksa said he respects the two brothers from Beal City, Michigan for bleeding Maroon and Gold their entire life. 

“They are from a cloth of Maroon and Gold, so they feel strong about the university,” Jaksa said. “At the same time, they have a fondness for our program and realize what it means to represent Central Michigan baseball.”

Chase and Ty played together throughout Little League, but since baseball was second nature, it was not until later in life when Ty started to lead his younger brother through new experiences.

“We’ve never played without each other,” Chase said. “I don’t know what it’s like to play without my brother. Coming to CMU and making the jump from eighth grade to high school, I knew what it was going to be like. I’ve been prepared because of Ty being there.”

Chase’s favorite moment of the two was winning two football and baseball state championships together. The duo started on the baseball team, along with starting as running backs and defensive backs on the gridiron. 

“It’s awesome,” said CMU right-handed reliever Dazon Cole. “I played with my brother until my senior year in high school and seeing them reminds me of us. The atmosphere they both bring is amazing. I love being around them, it’s great.” 

When it came down to baseball, Herman consistently reminded Chase and Ty of the mental strength needed on the diamond, which is something Jaksa now stresses to his team on a day-to-day basis. 

“My grandpa was always drilling Ty and me about the mental side of things in baseball,” Chase said. “We went to a small school, so we had to play every position. My grandpa was a pitcher, so you couldn’t play catch without him trying to teach us something.”

The most valuable aspect of life Herman and James taught Chase and Ty was tough love, which will stick with them forever and always. 

“I remember coming home from Little League games with both of them knowing it wasn’t going to go well,” Chase said. “It was either going to be really quiet or they made sure I knew what I needed to do.”

Along with Herman and James playing collegiate baseball, Chase and Ty’s uncle on the same side of the family, Steve Rollin, spent time playing at Ferris State. 

Share: