The Crown Point baseball community is mourning the loss of one of its shining stars.
Few details were immediately available Saturday regarding the Friday death of Alec Matalin. Crown Point High School baseball coach Steve Strayer said he’d been informed that Alec, who turned 17 July 12, became ill from an intestinal virus that he may have contracted during a family vacation to Mexico. Alec was visiting King’s Island in Cincinnati with his sister and uncle this week, and was en route to a baseball tourney in Columbus, Ohio, when he died, he said.
Ohio police officials could not be reached for comment.
Strayer described Matalin as one of the nicest kids he’s ever coached.
“He played (junior varsity) this year and planned to play varsity this year,” Strayer said. “He was a good worker with a 3.85 grade point average, and had a bright future ahead of him.”
The coach and player also had a personal connection, Strayer said. Alec’s father, Dan Matalin, suffered a stroke earlier this year, and Strayer recovered from one last year, so Strayer checked in with the young man frequently, he said.
“I would pull him aside, and we’d talk about how things were going at home. He said things were going decent (with regard to his dad’s recovery),” Strayer said.
Mike Schalasky, a coach with Crown Point Babe Ruth, said he’s known Alec and his family since Alec was 8 years old. He said he’s been in touch with the team playing in the Columbus tournament.
“(Coaches) didn’t tell the team until after they played the first game, and they were just shocked,” Schalasky said. “The kids were given the option to play for Alec or, if they were too upset, they could sit out, and a couple of the kids did.
“My son is 12, and it hasn’t sunk in for him yet. It hasn’t sunk in yet for me, either; (Alec) was a fantastic kid with a fantastic family, and it’s a huge loss.”
Both Strayer and Schalasky said they’re discussing with their teams how they will memorialize Alec.
“Alec had a lot of friends, and if there’s anything we can do for the family, we will,” Schalasky said.
Alec Matalin is survived by his parents, Lynn and Dan Matalin, of Crown Point; and sister Morgan Matalin, an outfielder for the Valparaiso Crusaders softball team.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
