Two local ballplayers have received a taste of international competition in the Babe Ruth Caribbean Classic in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Markus Ingram of Thomas Jefferson High and Mekhi Bullock of Varina represented the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) in the U-16 Babe Ruth Caribbean Classic.

The MJBL squad, consisting of players from several states, was in competition with teams from Curacao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Cayman Islands and The Bahamas.

Action at Andre Rodgers Stadium began this past weekend and continued this week. Rodgers is a Bahamian native who played 11 seasons of big league ball.

The MJBL was founded in Richmond in1966 by Dr. M.T. Forrester. His son, William Forrester, now directs the program designed to provide baseball opportunities to youngsters in urban areas.

There is more to come. The MJBL’s annual Inner-City Classic will be played Aug. 2-6 at diamonds in and around the Richmond area.