For Marc Amicone and his family, there's no place — make that plate — like home.
The vice president and general manager of the Salt Lake Bees heads a household that spends a lot of time at ballparks. Amicone's wife, Mary Kay, is the head coach of the Salt Lake Community College softball team. The couple's two sons are skilled baseball players. Trevor is currently serving an LDS Church mission in Boston. Derek is a senior-to-be at Jordan, where he helped the Beetdiggers win the 5A state championship.
"For us to be at the ballpark, as a family, it feels right," Marc Amicone said before a Bees game at Franklin Covey Field. "It's what we do. That's who we are. It's almost home."
Mary Kay Amicone acknowledges the family doesn't eat a lot of meals at home. It seems like there's always a game to attend.
"Early in the spring we get the calendars out and look ahead," she said. "We make sure everybody's there to support when we can."
Diamonds have a hold on the Amicones. It's their passion.
"Basically it's all we do. Our whole summers are based on baseball, and all of our vacations are based on baseball and stuff like that," Derek said. "It's good. Whenever we go on vacation it's either because I'm playing somewhere or we're going to go watch the Angels (parent club of the Bees) play. So it's fun that way."BR>
Older brother Trevor has also maintained the family tradition. He and his missionary companion were recently invited to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. And yes, they had good seats. Trevor, ironically, is a big Boston fan.
"If anybody can figure out a way to get into a game on their mission he would," Marc said. "And he did. I suspect he'll probably go again before he's done."
Going back to ballparks is a family tradition.
"It seems like the place to be. It's kind of like home," Marc explained. "We know how to mow the grass, rake the dirt, water the infield, do whatever. We've all kind of done that."
Accidentally on purpose, he said.
Marc and Mary Kay met at a ballpark. They were introduced to one another by Don Mayne, who had coached both of them in softball.
The union continued the Amicones' diamond legacy. Both of Marc's parents spent a lot of time at ballparks. His father played baseball at Granite High and in the old Bingham Canyon Industrial League. He was heavily involved in youth baseball and coached Granger's American Legion team for more than 20 years.
Marc's mother helped with concessions and scorekeeping. Earlier in life, she was a member of the famed Shamrocks softball team — a Salt Lake squad that ranked among the nation's top 20 organizations.
"It was kind of like: 'We're going to play ball,"' said Marc, whose older brother Jim played baseball at Weber State and helped coach him in legion ball. "So we've just always been at the ballpark."
Amicone played for Granger High before embarking on an all-conference career at the University of Utah. The second baseman, who was also a team captain, graduated in 1979.
Though Marc never played at the next level, he did begin a professional career in sports — working for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles and his alma mater before overseeing day-to-day operations for the Bees.
"It's a real special opportunity," said Marc, whose relationship with owner Larry H. Miller dates back nearly 30 years ago when they were teammates on a softball team. Miller, he noted, has always been a baseball guy — just like Amicone.
The bond passed the test of time. When Miller purchased the Bees, he tabbed Amicone to run it. He's now in the midst of his third season at the helm.
"It's just been wonderful for me to always be in sports. I keep thinking one day I may have to get a real job," Marc said. "To be able to be in baseball really is a dream come true."
Past experience, he continued, has given him a good understanding of the business. His love of the game, coupled with exposure to the Salt Lake Gulls (a Triple-A baseball franchise run by Golden Eagles owner Art Teece when Amicone worked in hockey), helped him prepare for his current position.
"I can't think of many better places to be," said Marc, who enjoys his relationship with the Pacific Coast League, the Angels and the Larry H. Miller organization.
The job fits right into his family's lifestyle.
"It's been real fun," Derek said. "I've got to meet most of the players and work out with them. It's been a real good experience."
Derek is a second baseman, another common link for the Amicones. Marc, Mary Kay and Trevor also played the position.
Mary Kay, though, may have done it better than anyone else. She also played outfield in her softball career at Weber State and Utah.
Marc insists his wife is "probably the best player in the family."
In addition to her collegiate accolades, Mary Kay was an All-American in summer ball. She's also been a highly successful coach and trailblazer.
"I don't like losing, ever. Fun for me doesn't involve losing," Mary Kay said. "We try to be competitive wherever we are."
At home, where time is often limited, the Amicones engage in competitive games like Crazy 8s and darts.
The drive to succeed has paid off on the field.
Mary Kay coached SLCC to the SWAC championship last season. Prior to taking over the program, she became the first varsity softball coach at BYU (earning MWC coaching honors in 2001). Then came a historical tenure as the first female to coach a Utah high school boys baseball team. She was Trevor's skipper at Jordan High.
"I really enjoyed it. The athletes were very accepting and I think it was not as shocking as some might have seen it," said Mary Kay, who is coaching Derek's summer league team. "Now it's quite natural when I'm doing the varsity prep league. I know all the umpires. It's become commonplace, which is nice."
So, too, is taking state. Derek enjoyed that experience a few months ago when Jordan won the 5A title.
"It was very fun. Something I won't ever forget," Derek said. "It was just a real fun experience. We all came together at the right time and just pulled it off."
And it all happened at a ballpark, of course — a place where the Amicones feel right at home.
E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com