Home run hitters set to square off against each other at Don’t Blink 242 event
- Simba French
- 13 hrs ago
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Bahamian professional baseball player Lucius Fox Jr., co-founder of the Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby, speaks during the Futures Showcase in Paradise event at Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium. The derby is set for this Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at Montagu Bay.
Will Benson, out of the Cincinnati Reds organization, will compete for Team World as they go up against Team Bahamas at the Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby, set for this Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at Montagu Bay.
For the sixth time, the Don’t Blink 242 Home Run Derby returns to The Bahamas, set for this Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at Montagu Bay. In a unique format, professional baseball players will look to hit home runs into the sea. There is a twist in the rosters this year as co-founders Lucius Fox Jr. and Todd Isaacs Jr. scrapped the draft and translated the event into a Team Bahamas versus Team World competition.
Team Bahamas is led by last year’s winner, the first Bahamian to win the individual title, Bertram ‘BJ’ Murray out of the Chicago Cubs organization. The other players on the team are Cherif Neymour (Miami Marlins), Sebastian Walcott (Texas Rangers), D’Shawn Knowles (Los Angeles Angels), Ryan Reckley (San Francisco Giants), Breyian Dean (Marlins), Kristin Munroe (Angels), Paris Johnson (Los Angeles Dodgers), Toby Simmons (Marlins), Adari Grant (St. Louis Cardinals) and Chavez Young (Pittsburgh Pirates).
Fox is optimistic about Team Bahamas winning the title. He said that they are taking the competition seriously.
“We have a strong and young team that is filled with talent that is excited to take on the challenge. I have seen these guys work out and they are putting in the work. I saw on their social media platforms that they have been hitting the gym, the batting cages and the field. I am waiting to see them show up on Saturday. I know they are excited and will keep the crown here in The Bahamas,” Fox said.
Benson, who is back for a fifth time, said that Team World will take the title.
“We are looking to hit a lot of home runs,” Benson said. “Looking at our lineup, I am expecting us to win. It is a blessing, and it is nice to see how much this has grown. I have been coming here since 2019. I am grateful to experience the growth of baseball here. It is great to see the growth of this event.”
Bo Bichette, shortstop of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Toronto Blue Jays, won the first two editions, Brinson, who last played in the San Francisco Giants organization in 2022, won the third edition of the derby, and Kansas City Royals catcher and outfielder Mervyl ‘MJ’ Melendez won the fourth edition of the derby.
In the team competition, Team Fox and Team Isaacs ended at two victories apiece. This will be the first year of the new format featuring Bahamian players taking on their counterparts from major and minor league baseball in a competition dubbed ‘The Bahamas vs. The World’.
The event is free of charge to the public.