The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Ralat was Destined to be a UAB Blazer
12/12/2019 3:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
There have been many two-sport student-athletes throughout the years - Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and most recently Kyler Murray. However, not many have played both baseball and basketball. UAB's Antonio Ralat is the anomaly.
The San Juan, P.R. native came to Birmingham in 2017 to join the Blazers' baseball team, where he was a fixture at short stop for three seasons, but his first love has always been basketball.
Ralat moved to Florida prior to his junior year of high school to play basketball at Gulliver Prep in Miami. It was there he caught the eye of the baseball coach Manny Crespo who saw Ralat's raw talent. From there, Ralat began to focus on baseball.
The following year, he played at the Elev8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach. One of his coaches was 13-year MLB veteran Luis Alicea, who urged Ralat to continue to pursue baseball.
"Although I was focused on baseball right after high school, basketball was always something I wanted to play in college since I was a little kid," said Ralat. However, coaches and scouts insisted that he concentrate on baseball.
From Elev8, Ralat enrolled at Palm Beach State where he played for one season. While with the Panthers, a coach called UAB head coach Brian Shoop and assistant coach / recruiting coordinator Perry Roth, who reached out to Ralat.
From there, it was destined for Ralat to come to UAB. Growing up in San Juan, he trained with Ivan Antonio De Jesus, who he saw as a role model. De Jesus went to the same high school as Ralat in Puerto Rico, Cupeyville High School, and later played baseball at UAB from 2011-14.
"It's great how it all came together," said Ralat. "He told me what a great school UAB is. I knew it was destined to be because when Coach Roth called me, I was in Atlanta, so I came with my Dad to visit UAB. So, with one of my idols playing at UAB and getting a call from the coaches when I was only two hours away from campus, it was destined for me to come to UAB."
Ralat played three seasons with the Blazers on the diamond. After the season ended in May, Ralat asked the UAB compliance office if he had another year of eligibility remaining. Learning that he did, he tried out for the basketball team in the summer while completing his marketing degree.
"I knew I could come in and be positive. I can be a leader on and off the court. I can bring energy to the game and play hard. College goes by fast and you can't take it for granted. Enjoy every opportunity"
Now that Ralat is fully committed to playing basketball, he wants to continue his career on the court. "I want to keep playing basketball. I love baseball, but basketball is my passion. I am blessed to be able to play both. I hope I can play in the Superior League in Puerto Rico or overseas. I really want to continue playing."
Ralat's younger brother Alejandro is a freshman guard on Florida Atlantic's basketball team. The Blazers and Owls play on Jan. 18 in Boca Raton, a date the entire Ralat family is looking forward to seeing. "When we would play Florida Atlantic and FIU in baseball, my entire family came out to support me. It felt like a home crowd for me," said Ralat.
Destiny has proved to be an incredible experience for Antonio Ralat at UAB.
The San Juan, P.R. native came to Birmingham in 2017 to join the Blazers' baseball team, where he was a fixture at short stop for three seasons, but his first love has always been basketball.
Ralat moved to Florida prior to his junior year of high school to play basketball at Gulliver Prep in Miami. It was there he caught the eye of the baseball coach Manny Crespo who saw Ralat's raw talent. From there, Ralat began to focus on baseball.
The following year, he played at the Elev8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach. One of his coaches was 13-year MLB veteran Luis Alicea, who urged Ralat to continue to pursue baseball.
"Although I was focused on baseball right after high school, basketball was always something I wanted to play in college since I was a little kid," said Ralat. However, coaches and scouts insisted that he concentrate on baseball.
From Elev8, Ralat enrolled at Palm Beach State where he played for one season. While with the Panthers, a coach called UAB head coach Brian Shoop and assistant coach / recruiting coordinator Perry Roth, who reached out to Ralat.
From there, it was destined for Ralat to come to UAB. Growing up in San Juan, he trained with Ivan Antonio De Jesus, who he saw as a role model. De Jesus went to the same high school as Ralat in Puerto Rico, Cupeyville High School, and later played baseball at UAB from 2011-14.
"It's great how it all came together," said Ralat. "He told me what a great school UAB is. I knew it was destined to be because when Coach Roth called me, I was in Atlanta, so I came with my Dad to visit UAB. So, with one of my idols playing at UAB and getting a call from the coaches when I was only two hours away from campus, it was destined for me to come to UAB."
Ralat played three seasons with the Blazers on the diamond. After the season ended in May, Ralat asked the UAB compliance office if he had another year of eligibility remaining. Learning that he did, he tried out for the basketball team in the summer while completing his marketing degree.
"I knew I could come in and be positive. I can be a leader on and off the court. I can bring energy to the game and play hard. College goes by fast and you can't take it for granted. Enjoy every opportunity"
Now that Ralat is fully committed to playing basketball, he wants to continue his career on the court. "I want to keep playing basketball. I love baseball, but basketball is my passion. I am blessed to be able to play both. I hope I can play in the Superior League in Puerto Rico or overseas. I really want to continue playing."
Ralat's younger brother Alejandro is a freshman guard on Florida Atlantic's basketball team. The Blazers and Owls play on Jan. 18 in Boca Raton, a date the entire Ralat family is looking forward to seeing. "When we would play Florida Atlantic and FIU in baseball, my entire family came out to support me. It felt like a home crowd for me," said Ralat.
Destiny has proved to be an incredible experience for Antonio Ralat at UAB.
Players Mentioned
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