Baseball United has begun its inaugural four-team season in Dubai, aiming to introduce the sport to the Middle East with modified rules to enhance excitement. The league kicked off on November 14 at the new Barry Larkin Field, featuring teams from India, Pakistan, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Emerging in the desert outskirts of Dubai, Baseball United's new stadium in Ud al-Bayda mirrors the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, complete with artificial turf to conserve water in the arid climate. The field, named after Hall of Famer and investor Barry Larkin, seats about 3,000 fans and hosts mostly nighttime games as the weather cools. Located 18 miles from the Burj Khalifa, it sits near The Sevens Stadium and Al Minhad Air Base.
The season, running through mid-December, opened with the Mumbai Cobras facing the Karachi Monarchs, tapping into the sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan. The other teams are the Arabia Wolves of Dubai and the Mideast Falcons of Abu Dhabi. Players from India and Pakistan aim to break into markets dominated by soccer and cricket.
To attract new fans, Baseball United introduced innovative rules: a golden 'moneyball' allows managers three opportunities per game to double runs from a home run; teams can use designated runners three times; and tied games after nine innings resolve with a home run derby. 'People here got to learn the rules anyway so we’re like if we get to start at a blank canvas then why don’t we introduce some new rules that we believe are going to excite them from the onset,' said CEO and co-owner Kash Shaikh.
The league addresses baseball's limited history in the region, where past efforts like the Israel Baseball League folded quickly. Organizers emphasize fan experiences, including hot dogs and mascots. 'It’s entertainment, and it’s exciting, and it’s helping get new fans and young fans more engaged in the game,' Shaikh added. 'The most important part is the experience for fans to come out, eat a hot dog, see mascots running around, to see what baseball traditions that we all grew up with back home in the U.S. — and start to fall in love with the game because we know that once they start to learn those, they will become big fans.'