Boone Has Baseball in His Blood

A little bit of pressure is located in the program for the Villa Park baseball team.

In it is the Boone bloodline, for all to see, especially for Matt Boone. A full-page ad, featuring the baseball cards of grandfather Ray Boone and father Bob Boone, as well as brothers Bret and Aaron.

At the bottom, a blank card, with the words: “Is There a Card Waiting for You?”

Some have a family tree, some have a sequoia. When you are the youngest in a major league baseball family that spans five decades, certain things are expected--by others and of yourself.

But Matt Boone, a junior third baseman for the Spartans, seems to be able to see the forest for the tree.

Pressure, sure. But being the youngest has its up side.

“I got to go to [Anaheim Stadium] every day with my dad and brothers,” Matt said. “I would always butt in, watch ESPN games with them and talk baseball with them.

“I was a bat boy for my brothers’ teams and for my dad when I got the chance. I looked forward to putting on the uniform and being with them.”

Some never find their path. Matt Boone couldn’t miss the signposts.

If athletic skill isn’t hereditary, then it’s quite a coincidence the way the Boones developed. Ray played 13 years in the major leagues. Bob 19 years, including seven with the Angels. Bret is the second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron is quickly working his way through the Reds’ organization.

And Matt? Well, he’s hitting .339. He ended a recent slump with a three-for-four performance Friday against eighth-ranked Canyon.

Boone has one home run, 16 runs scored and 11 runs batted in. Good numbers, but below the Boone-line set down by others. His brothers, after all, were All-Orange County infielders--Bret at El Dorado, Aaron at Villa Park--and went on to USC.

“People keep asking me if I feel any pressure,” Boone said. “They say, ‘Oh, you’re a Boone, you have to be good.’ I guess there is some pressure there. But there are advantages to being the youngest.”

Such as his vacation last year. Batting tips from members of the Kansas City Royals, who are managed by his father. Fielding tips from Cincinnati shortstop and National League MVP Barry Larkin, his brother’s double-play combination. A full three months’ of big-league experience. A kind of “Boys of Summer Camp.”

“I did everything but play in the games,” Boone said. “It’s nice to get a refresher course in the basics from a guy like Barry Larkin. I think that says it all.”

A visual, for those hard of hearing, came in a game against La Habra this season. Boone, still stinging from grounding out in his first at bat, came up with the bases loaded.

“I had two strikes on me and stepped out of the box and thought, ‘I better do something here,’ ” Boone said.

These are moments to savor. Boone’s grand slam--his first varsity home run--is in that category. He later doubled, driving in his fifth run in a game certain to make the family scrapbook.

More items will come from abroad this summer. Boone will be part of a United States high school all-star team that will tour Australia for 2 1/2 weeks. Then it’s another summer in the major leagues, with his father and brother.

A permanent return may be in his future.

“I understand what it takes to climb the ladder,” Boone said. “I’ve watched my brothers and learned from my father. Hopefully, some day, there will be a card with my face on it.”