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Baseball is definitely in the DNA of the Rasmus family

By Chris Masse 6 min read

X-rays cannot confirm it, but it would not be shocking if medical technology someday located a baseball near a Rasmus family member's heart.

A specific Rasmus was not named above. And that's because it could be true for nearly everyone with that last name. This decorated baseball family from Phenix City, Alabama breathes baseball like oxygen.

Father Tony played professionally in the minors before becoming one of the country's top scholastic baseball coaches. Sons Colby and Cory played in the Majors; Case in the minors and Cyle collegiately. Now the world is seeing the next generation shine as grandson Ryker and granddaughter Kinley represent Phenix City at the Little League World Series.

Oh yeah, that's also a full-circle moment. Tony managed the 1999 Phenix City all-stars who captured the U.S. championship, while Colby and Cory both starred on that team.

"We actually did a lot. We played baseball and football and karate and other stuff, but as we got older we specialized more," Case, Phenix City's manager this season, said. "We're a multi-sport family but we did baseball the best and latched onto that at a certain point and it took off."

The tradition continues and the Rasmus name has become baseball royalty in both Phenix City and Russell County. Different generations are coaching now, but the Rasmus name keeps flourishing there just as it did when the current coaches were players.

Cory coaches alongside Case; Cyle coaches in the league, and Colby coaches at Nolensville Little League in Tennessee, a league which has made five Series appearances since 2013. Case and Cory have coached this Phenix City team since they first started competing, guiding them to the 9U USSSA Rec League World series, a state title last year and now a regional championship, Alabama's first since that 1999 Phenix City team.

No wonder the team looks so disciplined and fundamentally-sound.

"It's special when you have coaches of that caliber," Phenix City Youth Baseball President Mike Green said. "Just having that lineage of experience and knowledge being poured into our youth is invaluable. You just can't put a price tag on it, and I tell all our players to soak it in."

Tony played in the California Angels farm system from 1986-88 before embarking on his coaching career. He quickly became one of Alabama's most decorated coaches, building a Russell County High School program which had never enjoyed a winning season into a national powerhouse.

Tony became coach in 2001, leading Russell County to 590 wins, 17 area championships, a 2005 state title and a No. 1 ranking by USA Today and Baseball America. He then led Lakeside High School to consecutive state titles in 2024 and 2025. Major League teams have drafted 19 of his players, including four first-rounders, and 70 earned baseball scholarships.

"He's an incredible coach; a motivator and a developer of skills," Case said. "He's had a hand in a bunch of people's development and helping them reach their goals. Reaching those goals has a lot to do with the discipline and structure and fundamentals he set. My dad is the foundation of everything we've achieved for sure."

That includes Colby playing 10 years for five teams in the Majors from 2009-18. Cory pitched four years there from 2013-16. Case starred for that 2005 Russell County state champion which earned the country's No. 1 ranking before playing four years of Minor League Baseball in the Cardinals organization and Cyle at Elon University.

Bringing all that experience to Phenix City has helped the league make massive strides over the last decade. That has culminated with this year's dominant run which had the Southeast champions entering the Series undefeated while defeating a series of juggernauts.

"Not only do we have the mentorship from Tony, but the mentorship from Case, Cory and Cyle," Green said. "My oldest has worked with Case since 5 and is now 15. My 7-year-old is working with Cyle. They demand 100 % effort. If you fail, so what, but let's try and get better every single time.

"Having them in our league is amazing."

It's sure nice having their children in the league, too. The Rasmus roots are staying fertile with Ryker and Kinley playing great baseball. Both have shined in all aspects throughout this Series run as have all their teammates.

While doing so, they are carving out their identities. Their fathers did the same following the success Tony achieved. So, without looking at a name, one could still identify Ryker and Kinley simply as outstanding players.

"It's super awesome to see the next generation making their mark. They are continuing the trend and keeping the Rasmus baseball tradition alive," Case said. "Ryker and Kinley and all the players have worked their butts off and it's fun to see their hard work create their own deal. They're getting the opportunity to show that they are capable of, making names for themselves.

"They're Ryker Rasmus and Kinley Rasmus. They're players not just being mentioned as part of the Rasmus family."

Seven more Rasmus children are on their way up, so who knows how long the tradition will continue. It could be quite some time yet. Either way, what a legacy this family has created.

And for the older Rasmus members, they now are going back to the future. Case watched his brothers play; his father coach at the 1999 Series. Those memories are fuzzier since Case was so young then.

The memories his son, his niece and his players are creating this time are crystal clear. That is what makes this latest Rasmus baseball achievement so special.

"Over my years as a player, I could go anywhere and say, 'I'm Case Rasmus and Colby and Cory Rasmus are my brothers,' and it was like, boom, I was a part of that conversation because they respected all the hard work and what our family has done," Case said. "We take a sense of pride because we worked hard for that. We worked hard for our name to carry weight in the baseball realm, and for our kids to continue that is really cool.

"If they stop playing next year, or if they keep playing and have success there, it's been great to see them carry on that legacy so well."

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