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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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J eff Ratcliffe, Philadelphia Wings PLPA Player Representative is currently in his fourth season with Philly. The "Rat" has led the team in goals in two of the last three seasons, notching 47 in 2002 and 42 last season. Ratcliffe is emerging as one the brightest superstars in the National Lacrosse League and Wings fans hope this star will only get brighter. Once the Collective Bargaining Agreement was made and ratified, Kevin M. Neibauer had time to chat on a variety of subjects. | |
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With the contract negotiations going on, did you find time for any summer ball? Or maybe a vacation? |
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Yes, My fiancé and I were in a wedding in Mexico over the summer. We also made a little time to visit my family in Port Coquitlam. I took the summer off from lacrosse and I don't think I will play again. I am going to save my body for the Wings.
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New coach, new system in Philadelphia; what do you expect from Coach Sanderson? |
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I am excited about our season, I am sick and tired of not making the
playoffs so I hope the new system will be beneficial for us. We definitely needed some sort of shake up. I really don't know Coach Sanderson well but I know he likes the run and gun style. This should suit our team, we have some great athletes.
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Do you live in Philadelphia during the season? |
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I live at the Jersey Shore all year round now. I have my green card so I have a 9 to 5 job (Note: For those who may not know, the "Jersey Shore" is slang for the South Jersey area)
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Favorite team to play against...and why? |
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I like playing against Toronto, we have a great rivalry, goals and wins don't come easily, which makes it more enjoyable after a victory.
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Favorite player to play against...and why? |
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I like playing against goalies that I know, it's fun diving in there getting everybody pissed off.
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Favorite NLL city? |
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Philadelphia of course, once you play here in front of our crowd how could you choose any other city? We have the best fans by far. People say Philly fans are to hard on their teams, but if you're playing bad I think criticism is good.
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Now that the contract is behind you, what are your duties as Player Rep? |
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My only job now is to make sure the rules of the CBA are followed. I
have a much easier job than some player reps out there. Philadelphia's ownership and management are pretty good.
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Is that an "elected" position? |
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Yes it is an elected position, I don't think I could give it up if I
tried.
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How far do you see expansion going? How many teams? |
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I can see expansion getting as big as the top three sports, in time. We just have to make sure we have enough talent to fill the teams. You don't want to trade quantity for quality. Right now we could probably field three new teams, no more though.
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| PLPA Correspondent Kevin M. Neibauer has been contributing articles to several on-line sites in the Philadelphia, Pa. area. Currently acts as the Philadelphia Correspondent for InTheCrease.com and also Just Hockey. Kevin has been writing for Just Hockey for three seasons and for InTheCrease for two. Currently being published each month, Neibauer covers the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League for Just Hockey. Besides those two sites, Neibauer has contributed to several Lacrosse sites, as well as writing for three Philadelphia based, All-Sports sites. Kevin was introduced to the indoor game of Lacrosse in the 1970's, when as a child, he would attend games in the old Eagle Pro Box League. Other Lacrosse background: Served as a referee in the Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association. Neibauer, a day time construction worker, is married and lives in Philadelphia with his family. Kevin can be reached at KJIEN@aol.com |
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