Baseball United is officially coming to the plate this week, opening its much-hyped first season, which will be marketed regionally as Season One. It starts on November 14 and opens with an exciting match, with the Karachi Monarchs facing the Mumbai Cobras at the recently inaugurated Baseball United Ballpark. The season will then conclude with the first-ever championship finals in the history of the league, the United Series, to be held between December 12 and 14.
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A New Era for Professional Baseball in the Middle East
Baseball United starts with four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, the Karachi Monarchs, the Arabia Wolves, and the Middle East Falcons, each having 12 regular-season games.
It ends with a two-game series, much anticipated, between the Wolves and Falcons, the rematch of the popular exhibition earlier this year between the two teams.
The league has also unveiled the revised rosters before opening day, representing Baseball United and its intention to increase its base of talent and create a fan base across the world.
Leadership, Partnerships, and a Global Vision
Baseball United co-founder and CEO Kash Shaikh has been busy on the ground in Dubai during the course of launch week, managing some last-minute arrangements in the newly opened Barry Larkin Field in Ud al-Bayda.
In its media engagement, Shaikh affirmed Kennedy, via Al Tayer Motors, as the Official Automotive Partner of Season One. During the month-long introduction of the league, Ford cars will be exhibited in the ballpark.
The updates of Shaikh presented Monarchs players coming to Dubai, all four teams holding preliminary training sessions, and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin providing practical assistance in terms of preparing the league.
Mumbai Cobras Lead India’s Professional Baseball Push
The Mumbai Cobras were established in 2023 as the first professional baseball club in India, which is part of the league based in South Asia.
With the first-ever No. 1 draft pick, Mumbai took right-handed pitcher Karan Patel, and since then, the franchise has taken six players of Indian descent as it constructs one of the most dynamic rosters.
Manager Mariano Duncan manages a multinational team comprising players from India, the U.S., Venezuela, Mexico, Curaçao, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines, the U.K., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Aruba.
The season will start with a three-game series in Mumbai and Karachi to create an atmosphere of competitive and culturally important new beginnings.
Branding, Uniforms, and a Big Merch Expansion
This is because of its association with Arrieta, the Mexico-based manufacturer, which has provided Baseball United with a complete visual identity of each franchise in Season One, which outfitted teams in LMB, the Mexican Pacific League, and LIDOM.
They now have the option of shopping for official on-field products such as home jerseys, alternative V-necks, caps, kids jerseys, and dugout shirts at the shop.baseballunited.com.
Each team’s merchandise reflects its unique identity:
- Mumbai Cobras: Yellow & black
- Karachi Monarchs: Blue & gold
- Arabia Wolves: Desert-inspired sand tones
- Mid East Falcons: Green & white
World Baseball Network will not stop covering other merchandise at the Baseball United Ballpark as the season goes on. More items that will be exclusive to the stadium will be announced during the year.
WBN On-Ground Coverage Begins
The World Baseball Network will be based in Dubai to cover the entire Season One. Reporting will include:
- Ballpark experience
- Game-day operations
- Apparel availability
- Fan engagement
- Daily game results
Also Read: Top 7 Bougie Restaurants in Dubai for Fancy Foodies
The presence of league co-owners and former MLB stars Elvis Andrus and Adriano Beltré at the VIP Reception of Baseball United before the start of the Opening Week reinforced the message that the league is on the leading edge of the world, with star players in its support.
A Historic Moment for Baseball in the Middle East
Season 1 of Baseball United is a significant step towards enhancing the popularity of the sport in the region. New partners, high-profile management, international investors, and an increasing fan base mean that Season One itself is not the end but the start of a new dawn of baseball in the Middle East and South Asia.