Baseball United Brings Season One to Life in Dubai as Karachi and Mumbai Open a First-of-Its-Kind Monthlong Season

UD AL-BAYDA, United Arab Emirates — Baseball United first real test begins tonight. After two years of exhibitions, showcases, signings, and ambitious planning, the league officially launches Season One on November 14 with Karachi facing Mumbai at Baseball United Ballpark — a full month of games in a region that has never hosted a professional baseball season.

The four franchises — the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons — will play 12 games each before the top two advance to the United Series from December 12–14. For all the branding, roster announcements, and global partnerships, the measure now shifts from concept to crowd: How will fans respond once the gates open and the first pitch is thrown?

Rosters across all four clubs have been updated ahead of opening day, reflecting the league’s push to blend ex-Major Leaguers with emerging talent from India, Pakistan, and the Gulf.

League Leadership and New Partnerships

Baseball United Co-Founder and CEO Kash Shaikh has been in Dubai throughout launch week, overseeing final preparations and welcoming teams to the Emirates. Shaikh announced Ford, through Al Tayer Motors, as the Official Automotive Partner of the inaugural season. Ford vehicles will be featured at Baseball United Ballpark throughout the season.

The Dune of Dreams: Upstart league Baseball United hosts inaugural game in Dubai with its own rules

Shaikh’s updates on social media have shown Monarchs players arriving in Dubai, early practices for all four clubs, and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin supporting league operations during opening week.

Baseball United’s inaugural season started today and starting pitchers made the trip to the mound riding camels

(????: @BaseballUnited) pic.twitter.com/fCH9hcA24x

— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 14, 2025

Mumbai Cobras Lead India’s Entry Into Professional Baseball

The Mumbai Cobras, founded in 2023 as the first professional baseball team in India, remain a focal point of the league’s expansion into South Asia. Mumbai selected right-handed pitcher Karan Patel with the first overall pick in the league’s inaugural draft, then signed six players of Indian descent ahead of the 2025 season.

Manager Mariano Duncan leads one of the league’s most diverse rosters, representing India, the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Curaçao, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Aruba.

Mumbai and Karachi will open the league’s inaugural season with three straight games.

Branding, Uniforms, and Merchandise

Baseball United enters its first season with a complete visual identity across all four franchises. The league’s partnership with Arrieta — the Mexico-based uniform manufacturer with long-standing ties to LMB, the Mexican Pacific League, and LIDOM — includes all on-field apparel and the full merchandise line.

Mumbai Cobras Official On-Field Home Jersey

Karachi Monarchs

At shop.baseballunited.com, fans can purchase official on-field jerseys, alternate V-necks, kids’ jerseys, active caps, and dugout shirts for every franchise. The merchandise reflects each club’s established identity, including Mumbai’s yellow-and-black, Karachi’s blue-and-gold, Arabia’s desert tones, and the Mid East Falcons’ green-and-white.

World Baseball Network will report on any additional merchandise available inside Baseball United Ballpark during the month-long schedule.

WBN On-Site Coverage Begins

World Baseball Network is on the ground in Dubai for the full duration of the inaugural season. Coverage will include stadium presentation, apparel availability, game operations, fan turnout, and daily results. 

Baseball United’s inaugural season marks an important step for the growth of the sport, combining new partnerships, global ownership, and an expanded branding and merchandise platform across the Middle East and South Asia.

 

Photo: Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai ahead of Opening Week, where World Baseball Network is on site to cover the league’s inaugural season.