UD AL-BAYDA, United Arab Emirates — Baseball United launched its first regular season Friday night at Barry Larkin Field, and founder Kash Shaikh told World Baseball Network the moment represents “three and a half years in the making” as the league officially begins play in the Middle East and South Asia.
“So much hard work, so much passion, blood, sweat, and tears soaked into this turf right here,” Shaikh said. “To finally be here — Opening Night, Mumbai versus Karachi, Baseball United Season One — I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Baseball United’s ownership group includes Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, and 16 additional former and current Major League players. Shaikh said their support has influenced every stage of the league’s growth.
“Those guys are some of the main reasons why we work so hard,” Shaikh told World Baseball Network. “Some of the best players who ever lived. Barry Larkin’s name is on this field. I saw him walking around the outfield with his daughter. We have those guys’ names on our chest every time we come out here.”
In Historic Baseball United Debut In Dubai, Karachi Monarchs Top Mumbai Cobras 6-4
With four franchises on the field for the inaugural year, Shaikh said Baseball United’s future depends on consistency and fan response.
“We’re just working really hard, living in the moment, trying to be the best we can be tonight and then the best we can be tomorrow,” he said. “This thing could be as big as possible or it may not stick around. There are no guarantees in a startup. It comes down to the support we have, the fans we get in the stands, and the effort we put in night in and night out.”
Shaikh said the organization remains focused on steady growth.
“I believe in my heart we’re building the number one international baseball league in the world,” he said. “Tonight is the first step to do that.”
The league’s one-month schedule aligns with global winter baseball and allows players to transition between Dubai, the Caribbean, Australia, and Asia. Shaikh said Baseball United intends to help create momentum for those careers.
“We’re building a platform,” Shaikh said. “We’re already the number one international baseball league in the world in terms of awareness among baseball fans. You’ve seen our social media. You’ve seen our content. We know how to market players and we know how to give people a stage. This year is only one month, next year God willing two months, and the year after that — let’s see where we can take it.”
Baseball United enters its first full season with several rule variations designed to connect with new audiences, including the moneyball at-bat where all runs count double. The league’s identity blends traditional baseball structure with a modern presentation style built for international viewers.
“We want to create more opportunities, more energy, more ways for fans to connect with what’s happening on the field,” Shaikh said.
As the interview wrapped after several minutes on the field, the global baseball ambassador leaned toward the World Baseball Network microphone and added one final message before heading into Opening Night.
“Let’s go!” he said, then walked off to rejoin his staff as preparations continued at Barry Larkin Field.
Baseball United’s first season runs through December 14 with the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons competing in Dubai.
Photo: Baseball United launched its first regular season at Barry Larkin Field in Dubai, with fans packing the stands, players taking pregame reps, and World Baseball Network’s Matthew Tallarini interviewing founder Kash Shaikh on the field.
