Miami.– When officials from the Dominican Republic contacted Hanley Ramirez and invited him to represent his country in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, they did not have to ask twice, The Miami Herald reported today.

The Marlins shortstop accepted on the spot. ''They called a couple of days ago,'' Ramirez said. He didn't play in the inaugural WBC in 2006. He was a raw rookie, attempting to make a name for himself with the Marlins. Now he will be representing is home country on an international stage.

Ramirez probably won't be the only member of the Marlins organization to participate in the international baseball tournament in March. Third baseman Jorge Cantu and utility infielder Alfredo Amezaga hope to play for Mexico. Pitcher Rick VandenHurk is a likely candidate to play for The Netherlands.