By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Baseball United announced on Thursday on their website the official schedule for the Dubai Showcase event in November.
Baseball United is the first professional baseball league located in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. Baseball United will have its first event, the Dubai Showcase, from November 10-12 at Dubai International Stadium, which is mainly used for cricket.
All Baseball United Dubai Showcase games will be played at Dubai International Stadium.
Only two games will be played on Saturday, November 11.
On November 9, all four teams will have on-field batting practice prior to the event to get used to the playing surface.
The stated goal of Baseball United is to grow the sport to two billion people across India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, an area with nearly one billion cricket fans. Baseball United hopes to have franchises in South Asia in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
Baseball United’s franchises will also be located in Gulf Cooperation Council member nations and south Asia. The GCC countries include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The franchise locations will be announced in the league’s foreseeable future along with hiring major staff officials that will be part of the league’s success.
“If we can inspire even a small fraction of that viewership, it will be an incredible stage for baseball in the region. And from an attendance standpoint, we are looking forward to welcoming baseball fans from all walks of life – and from dozens of different countries – to enjoy this classic showdown” said Baseball United President, CEO, and Majority Owner Kash Shaikh.
The Abu Dhabi Falcons and the Dubai Wolves were the final two organizations announced on August 3 at the Baseball United press conference held in Dubai. Baseball United plans to expand the league further next season.
The Dubai Wolves will have former Major Leaguer Felix Hernandez as their honorary general manager and former Major League manager John McClaren will be at the helm during the league’s first season.
The Abu Dhabi Falcons will have Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera as their honorary general manager and former Major League pitcher Dennis Cook will be the manager for the organization.
Former Major Leaguer Chris Sabo will manage the Mumbai Cobras, and Miguel Tejada will manage the Karachi Monarchs in the league’s first season. Former Major Leaguer Adrian Beltre will be the honorary general manager for the Karachi Monarchs and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin will be the honorary general manager for the Mumbai Cobras.
The four organizations will each draft 16 players and can add four international prospect signings prior to the start of the Baseball United showcase event in November.
Baseball United will have their first-ever draft on September 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 11 a.m. EDT, and the draft will be streamed on all Baseball United social media pages.
Cincinnati is the birthplace of professional baseball in the United States, fielding the first team of professional players in 1869. The Baseball United draft marks the beginning of a new league that can possibly produce a lot of exposure to the sport on the other side of the world.
The league will stock the teams with players from international professional leagues, players with experience in the lower minor leagues in the U.S., and independent league players, as well as potentially developing players from the countries where the league places franchises.
According to the Baseball United website, the league is “working hard to bring baseball, music, and entertainment together in a fun, family-friendly environment. There will be a price point for everyone, with great seats available across the transformed ‘ballpark.’ And everyone who attends will become a part of history, as we bring professional baseball here to the Middle East and South Asia for the first time. Tickets will go on sale soon, and I really encourage all baseball and sports fans to join us for a great experience.”
Baseball United will have a fan fest event that will be free to the public outside Dubai International Stadium.
“Brands, partners, and vendors will be on hand providing baseball-related experiences and activities, as well as various other sports and music activities. Food and drinks will also be available,” the league’s website stated.
Baseball United will also plan on having an opening and closing ceremonies with details and will announce more conclusive details in the upcoming weeks.
All games will be streamed on Baseball United website, Facebook and YouTube pages. Baseball United is currently in the process of reaching deals with various major tv sports network channels all over the listed regions across Asia.
Baseball United 2023 Dubai Showcase Schedule
Friday, November 10
11 a.m. EST – Karaichi Monarchs vs. Mumbai Cobras
Saturday, November 11
6 a.m. EST – Abu Dhabi Falcons vs. Karachi Monarchs
10 a.m. EST – Mumbai Cobras vs. Dubai Wolves
Sunday, November 12
10 a.m. EST – Dubai Wolves vs. Abu Dhabi Falcons