Tiger catcher overcomes life Alter-ing injury

Conner Alter looks just like any other high school catcher. He squats behind the plate, up and down on each pitch. He blocks the ball in the dirt and hustles down the line to back up the throw to first base.

It’s the most grueling position of any on the ball field, sure to bring a uniform home dirty for his mother to clean after every game.

Conner Alter is not like any other high school catcher, however. Not even close.

Six years ago, on Easter Day 2012, Alter was involved in an ATV accident during a family get-together with his cousins. The Mule the boys were driving flipped and landed on Alter’s leg, crushing his right ankle.

Shrugging off his own pain, Alter helped the others pull the vehicle off his younger cousin, Jordan Reinhardt, then 4, possibly saving his life.

Soon the extent of Alter’s injury became grossly obvious, his right ankle hanging by a thread, a dangled, dirty mess the trauma surgeon said was one of the worst he’d ever seen.

If you would have seen the X-ray, as I did, you would have said, no way would this kid be playing high school sports six years later, let alone catcher.

His parents, Jay and Jen Alter, signed off on the pre-surgery papers giving the doctors the authority to amputate his foot if deemed necessary.

By the grace of God and skilled surgeons, Alter’s foot was saved, and he has led a productive athletic career in baseball and golf.

But it hasn’t come easy nor without discomfort. His foot is especially painful after games and the morning after. Motrin used to help, but not so much now. Ice brings little relief.

“It’s the not same as it used to be. I struggle with it, but I’ve learned how to work with it. Just put it behind and not even think about it any more. Over the years, it’s just how it’s been, and I’ve learned how to cope with it,” Alter said.

“After games, when I have some down time, it’s going to be stiff. I’m going to have some pain in the mornings. That’s the other time it’s tough. Throughout my day, it’s fine, and when I’m catching, it’s fine, too. While I’m doing my activities, it’s not a real bother. It’s just after when it is.”

Jen Alter said the pain her son is experiencing now is exactly what doctors told them six years ago would happen.

“They said he’d be able to play, but predicted by his senior year it would be really rough. Everything they said has happened,” she said.

“I think he plays a lot better than anyone ever predicted. He sucks it up, a lot, big time. I think he plays with the pain we don’t realize.”

A courtesy runner, as most coaches employ for their catchers, is routinely used for Alter. Even catchers in the big leagues take a day off once a week. Not Conner Alter. It’s never been part of the conversation.

“The only thing he’s told me, it’s really bothering him more. But he said he would never, ever sit out a game. He’d make it through no matter what. So he’s bound and determined,” Jen Alter said.

Playing a different position other than catcher might have helped, but Alter knows he’s truly home at the plate. He’s changed his stance a bit behind the plate to help some.

“I know that’s my position. I know that’s my best. I just go out the and try to do to the best I can. It’s (his foot) not going to change now,” he said.

Tiger coach Wick Warren said Alter “has done an outstanding job the past two years handling our pitching and has been very good at keeping the team positive and on task in good and not-so-good times.”

Alter played basketball in the seventh grade, but it was too painful and he became manager the next year. He also played some youth football after the injury.

He tried wrestling as a freshman, but on the very first day, he knew couldn’t handle all the running and conditioning. Along with baseball, he found a new love, golf, which he picked up as a freshman at PHS.

Being able to play baseball was the one thing that helped the Alters get through everything, Jen said.

“Baseball was his favorite sport, and he was able to play. He really came to love golf. I don’t know if he would have golfed if this didn’t happen. I think he may have stayed with football. His goal was to play baseball and did it. I’m glad for that,” she said.

Conner feels greatly blessed to have been able to play the past six years.

“My parents signed the amputation forms on that day. I know it could have been whole lot worse. I’m really lucky to be out here playing baseball and golf. It’s a blessing to be out here, truly,” he said.

Alter will hang up his catcher’s gear after this season and plans to attend the University of Iowa and study business. And he’ll take his golf clubs with him.

“This is my last year of baseball. I’m just going to play a lot of golf after high school and college,” he said. “It’s a sport you can play and a sport that’s easy on my ankle because there’s not a lot of pressure on it. Play a lot of golf so I stay active and stuff.”

If you haven’t made it out to a Tiger game this year yet, you need to come out and watch Conner play. And be sure to stand and give this kid a hand. He deserves it.

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com.