Meet Scott Ratliff of the Atlanta Blaze
January 3, 2017 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
KENNESAW - Scott Ratliff, coming off back to back seasons with 20 points each, has cemented his name in the Major League Lacrosse record books as the highest scoring defensive player to date.
For those new to lacrosse, Scott plays a specialized Long-Stick Midfielder (LSM) position. As an LSM, Scott's job is to guard the opposition's most potent offensive midfielders and then sub off of the field for a more specialized offensive Blaze player once the Blaze regains possession of the ball. What makes Scott such a threat is his tendency to hang on the field a little longer than most other LSMs in order to exploit the other team's offensive players who are weak on the defensive end. Scott has been known to stretch the field by shooting from the two-point line and to make hard cuts to the goal and finish inside.
Scott Ratliff is a Georgia native, a rarity in the professional lacrosse world where most players hail from lacrosse hotbeds in the Northeast and Canada. However Scott attributes always having a stick in his hands to his dad, who in his heyday was an All-American defenseman at the University of Maryland. Scott graduated from George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta in 2009 and went on to become the first Georgia native to play at Loyola University Maryland. At Loyola, Scott was voted co-captain of both his junior and senior season and led the Greyhounds to a national championship in 2012.
Immediately upon graduation from Loyola, Ratliff was drafted 9th overall to the Boston Cannons in the 2013 collegiate draft. In the 2016 expansion draft, Ratliff was acquired by the Blaze for their inaugural season. Scott has become not only an asset as a player on both the offensive and defensive ends, but has also emerged as a great leader for the Blaze. Along with goalie Adam Ghitelman, Scott was elected the first co-captain of the Atlanta Blaze team.
Name: Scott Ratliff
Team: Atlanta Blaze
College: Loyola University Maryland
High School: George Walton Comprehensive, GA
Position: Long-Stick Midfielder
Twitter: @Srat2
Instagram: scottratliff2
Q & A:
How difficult was the transition from Georgia High School Lacrosse to Division 1?
"The transition from HS to college was an easy one for me. Playing HS football at Walton is one of the biggest things that helped prepare me to make that jump in lacrosse. The college game is played faster with more off ball movement, I had a lot to learn when I got to Loyola."
What is your biggest tip for kids trying to play at the next level?
"My tip to kids is just to have your stick in your hands all the time, the more time you put into it the more you will get out."
What is the transition like from college ball to the MLL?
"The most difficult part of the transition to Pro is learning how to commit to training and staying in shape without the coaches or structure of college lacrosse. In the Pros we don't get to practice all the time so it's really up to you to manage your time and set up a career where you have time to practice and stay in shape."
It's no secret that MLL players do not make NFL type salaries, so what is your biggest reason for playing?
"I play professional lacrosse because I love the challenge of playing at the highest level. I love to compete against the best and the MLL provides an incredible opportunity to be a part of growing the sport of lacrosse."
Who was your sports idol growing up?
"I have always idolized Muhammad Ali. I loved his confidence, his charisma and his self-belief."
Who is your favorite player to match up against during the season?
"Two guys stand out, I always look forward to guarding Paul Rabil and Tom Schreiber. I like the challenge of defending the best and I think both of those guys are matchups that bring out the best in me."
What are the necessary songs for your pregame/post game playlists?
"I love all different kinds of music. I typically listen to hip hop or rap but you may catch me listening to some Jazz or R&B or country music before a game."
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About Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Fifth Third Bank Stadium is an 8,300-seat state-of-the-art stadium built in 2010 in partnership with the former Women's Professional Soccer team Atlanta Beat, designed to showcase a variety of events. It has hosted Major League Soccer, KSU Soccer and Lacrosse, the Southern Lacrosse Showdown, NCAA Women's College Cup, concerts and music festivals. Situated within a beautiful 88-acre KSU Sports and Recreation Park, the facility is conveniently located just one mile from both I-75 and I-575 in Cobb County, which is often referred to as Atlanta's sweet spot.
About Atlanta Blaze
The Atlanta Blaze, Major League Lacrosse's newest franchise kicked off their inaugural season in Kennesaw, GA on April 23, 2016. The Atlanta Blaze will call Kennesaw State University's Stadium in Cobb County, Georgia home for the 2017 Season. Single Game and Season Tickets are currently on sale. To purchase tickets and for more information call 855-44-BLAZE or visit AtlantaBlaze.com
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from January 3, 2017
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