From Deseret News archives:
American Fork's Conder is one of state's top players behind the plate
He picked Shay Conder, a skinny little sophomore, to be his starting catcher over a much more experienced senior. The decision was a good one.
"After I saw Shay behind the plate, I told that senior to grab his glove and head out to right field," Ingersoll said. "He didn't like it very much, but I liked the way Shay threw runners out and blocked the ball. He was the one I wanted back there then and the one I want back there now. He's the best catcher I've seen come around for a long time."
Now a senior, Conder is no longer skinny, small and weak. Thanks to some dedication to the weight room and natural teenage growth, he's much stronger, bigger and more than 30 pounds heavier. He's also a much more mature and knowledgeable baseball player. By every baseball person's assessment, he's one of the state's top catchers — if not the best.
"Defensively, he can hold his own with anyone. His pop-to-pop (time it takes for the ball to go from the catcher's mitt to second base) is ridiculous. He throws everyone out and blocks every curve ball in the dirt," Ingersoll said.
Conder feels hitting is his weakness. But the numbers don't show it. He's leading his team with nine doubles, three home runs and 14 runs batted in. He has a slugging percentage of .822 and a batting average of .422.
"I think he makes pretty good adjustments at the plate and sits back on pitches really well," Ingersoll said. "He's developed a good stroke to the opposite side and he's become a good hitter to center and right."
Still, as good as Conder is, he's kind of been lost in the shuffle the past few years in the plethora of great catchers that have come through Utah Valley — like Lehi's Monte Downs, Lone Peak's Matt Bezzant, Provo's Bryce Ayoso, Timpview's Charlie Barber, Springville's Alex Johnson and Timpanogos' Alex Wolfe. Conder said that hasn't bothered him — only inspired him to work harder.
"I compare myself with those who play my position and I want to be the best at my position, so I think it's helped me become better to compete with those guys," Conder said.
Ingersoll said Conder's success is directly tied to his dedication. Once, after an American Fork game had been canceled on a Friday night, rather than head off with his friends for a night on the town. Conder found himself a city-league game where he was still able to get in four at bats.
"That kind of shows his work ethic and how his mind is always on the game," Ingersoll said.
