Baseball United is a professional baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia. It began with two "showcase" games in Dubai in November 2023. The first season with four teams representing cities in India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates is expected to take place in 2024.
 | |
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 |
| First season | 2024 |
| Countries | India (1 team) Pakistan (1 team) United Arab Emirates (2 teams) |
| Official website | www |
History edit
The United International Baseball League was founded on July 26, 2022, with a mission of bringing professional baseball to India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Baseball Hall-of-Famers Mariano Rivera and Barry Larkin were announced as founding stakeholders. Rather than build new baseball fields, the league plans to redevelop existing cricket fields into baseball diamonds.[1]
On August 18, 2022, the UIBL announced that it would play nine of its inaugural games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.[1] In November, the UIBL announced it would rebrand to "Baseball United".[2]
Baseball United partnered with Pakistan Federation Baseball to organize the West Asia edition of the 2023 Asian Baseball Cup in Islamabad.[3] In April 2023, active MLB shortstop Elvis Andrus joined the league's ownership group.[4]
On May 15, 2023, the league announced its first franchise as the Mumbai Cobras.[5] Former MLB All-Star Chris Sabo was named the team's first manager.[6]
On May 30, 2023, the second team of the league was announced as the Karachi Monarchs. The Monarchs name references both the Karachi Kings cricket team, as well as the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues.[7] League officials said that the Monarchs and Cobras are expected to be the league's biggest rivals, noting the fierce India–Pakistan cricket rivalry and likening it to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.[8] On June 5, 2023, Karachi appointed former major leaguers Adrian Beltre and Miguel Tejada as its general manager and manager, respectively.[9] On August 4, 2023, The Baseball United announced Dubai Wolves and Abu Dhabi Falcons as their latest two baseball teams representing Dubai and Abu Dhabi.[10]
The league's draft began on October 23, 2023. Karan Patel, a right-handed pitcher who reached Double-A in the Chicago White Sox organization, was selected first overall by the Mumbai Cobras. Prominent former MLB players drafted included Dominicans Robinson Canó and Bartolo Colon, Venezuelan Pablo Sandoval and Curaçaons Didi Gregorius and Andrelton Simmons.[11]
Teams edit
The four teams that will take part in the first season are: [12]
| Team | City | Country | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Cobras | Mumbai |  India
|
2023 |
| Karachi Monarchs | Karachi |  Pakistan
|
2023 |
| Dubai Wolves | Dubai |  UAE
|
2023 |
| Abu Dhabi Falcons | Abu Dhabi | UAE
|
2023 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "New baseball league announces Dubai International Stadium as official venue for inaugural showcase". Arab News. Aug 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Baseball Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera take on larger role with "Baseball United"". Fansided.com. Nov 5, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Baseball United grows the game in Pakistan as West Asia Cup takes place". Insider Sport. Jan 30, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "2-time MLB All-Star Elvis Andrus joins Baseball United ownership group". Arab News. April 17, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ Nick El Hajj (May 15, 2023). "Dubai-based professional baseball league announces first franchise, Mumbai Cobras". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Former MLB All-Star Chris Sabo named manager of Baseball United's first franchise". Arab News. May 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Baseball United names Karachi Monarchs as its second franchise". Arab News. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Dubai-based baseball league announces Karachi Monarchs, Pakistan's first professional team". Arabian Business. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ Enrique Rojas (June 5, 2023). "Adrián Beltré nombra a Miguel Tejada mánager en Pakistán" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Baseball United announces Dubai Wolves and Abu Dhabi Falcons as its latest two franchises". Arab News. 2023-08-04. Archived from the original on 2023-10-24. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Connon, Sam (23 October 2023). "Robinson Canó, Bartolo Colon Among Former MLB Players Drafted to New League in Dubai". Fastball. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ MENAFN. "Baseball United Announces Dubai Wolves And Abu Dhabi Falcons As Its Latest Two Franchises". menafn.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.