SoniaBlankinship at 18:44, 18 March 2026

2026-03-18T18:44:53Z

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{{short description|Emirati baseball organization}}
{{use mdy|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title = Baseball United
| current_season = 2025 Baseball United season
| logo = Baseball United logo.png
| sport = Baseball
| founded = {{start date and age|2022}}
| teams = 4
| owner =
| countries = India (1 team)<br />Pakistan (1 team)<br />UAE (2 teams)
| inaugural = 2025
| champion = [[Mid East Falcons]]
| champ_season = 2025
| most_champs =
| most successful club =
| TV = [[Zee Media Corporation|Zee]] (India)
| streaming = [[ZEE5]] (India)
| website = {{URL|https://www.baseballunited.com/|BaseballUnited.com}}
}}
'''Baseball United''' is a [[professional baseball]] organization in West Asia and South Asia. It began with two showcase games in Dubai in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 All-Star Showcase |url=https://www.baseballunited.com/events/2023/showcase |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Baseball United}}</ref> The [[Winter league baseball|winter league]]'s first season with four teams representing cities in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]] completed in 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite press release |title=Baseball United Announces Dates for First Full Season and Inaugural Baseball United Cup |publisher=Baseball United |url=https://baseballunited.com/news/baseball-united-announces-dates-first-full-season-inaugural-baseball-united-cup |access-date=2024-08-09}}</ref>

== History ==
The United International Baseball League (UIBL) was founded on July 26, 2022, with a mission of bringing professional baseball to India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|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.<ref name="dubai">{{cite news |date=Aug 18, 2022 |title=New baseball league announces Dubai International Stadium as official venue for inaugural showcase |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2145291/sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182419/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2145291/sport |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |agency=Arab News}}</ref>

On August 18, 2022, the UIBL announced that it would play nine of its inaugural games at the [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]].<ref name="dubai" /> In November, the UIBL rebranded as "Baseball United."<ref>{{cite web |date=Nov 5, 2022 |title=Baseball Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera take on larger role with "Baseball United" |url=https://calltothepen.com/2022/11/05/barry-larkin-mariano-rivera-baseball-united/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182429/https://calltothepen.com/2022/11/05/barry-larkin-mariano-rivera-baseball-united/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=[[FanSided]]}}</ref>

Baseball United partnered with [[Pakistan Federation Baseball]] to organize the West Asia edition of the 2023 [[Asian Baseball Cup]] in [[Islamabad]].<ref>{{cite news |date=Jan 30, 2023 |title=Baseball United grows the game in Pakistan as West Asia Cup takes place |url=https://insidersport.com/2023/01/30/baseball-united-pakistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182420/https://insidersport.com/2023/01/30/baseball-united-pakistan/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=Insider Sport}}</ref> In April 2023, active MLB shortstop [[Elvis Andrus]] joined the league's ownership group.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 17, 2023 |title=2-time MLB All-Star Elvis Andrus joins Baseball United ownership group |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2288136/sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182423/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2288136/sport |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |agency=[[Arab News]]}}</ref> The league has since announced other current and former MLB players as "co-owners," including [[Ronald Acuña Jr.]], [[Albert Pujols]], [[Félix Hernández]], and [[Ryan Howard]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://baseballunited.com/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602063111/https://baseballunited.com/about |archive-date=2 June 2024 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Baseball United}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Baseball's Best Player Ronald Acuña Jr. Joining Baseball United Ownership Group |url=https://baseballunited.com/news/baseballs-best-player-ronald-acuna-jr-joining-baseball-united-ownership-group |access-date=2024-08-09 |publisher=Baseball United }}</ref>

On May 15, 2023, the league announced its first franchise as the [[Mumbai Cobras]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Nick El Hajj |title=Dubai-based professional baseball league announces first franchise, Mumbai Cobras |url=https://apnews.com/article/dubai-baseball-united-middle-east-south-asia-285c1eed0514342fd5852a5d75832c2b |work=[[Associated Press]] News |date=May 15, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182419/https://apnews.com/article/dubai-baseball-united-middle-east-south-asia-285c1eed0514342fd5852a5d75832c2b |url-status=live }}</ref> Former [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] [[Chris Sabo]] was named the team's first manager.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Former MLB All-Star Chris Sabo named manager of Baseball United's first franchise |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2309641/sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604181043/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2309641/sport |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |agency=Arab News}}</ref>

On May 30, 2023, the [[Karachi Monarchs]] was announced as the second team in the league. The Monarchs name references both the [[Karachi Kings]] cricket team and the [[Kansas City Monarchs]] of the [[Negro league baseball|Negro leagues]].<ref>{{cite news |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Baseball United names Karachi Monarchs as its second franchise |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2313091/sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182421/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2313091/sport |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |agency=[[Arab News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Dubai-based baseball league announces Karachi Monarchs, Pakistan's first professional team |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-sport/dubai-based-baseball-league-announces-karachi-monarchs-pakistans-first-professional-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182419/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-sport/dubai-based-baseball-league-announces-karachi-monarchs-pakistans-first-professional-team |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |agency=Arabian Business}}</ref> On June 5, 2023, Karachi appointed Hall of Famer [[Adrian Beltre]] and former MLB [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] [[Miguel Tejada]] as its general manager and manager, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Enrique Rojas |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Adrián Beltré nombra a Miguel Tejada mánager en Pakistán |trans-title=Adrián Beltré appoints Miguel Tejada as manager in Pakistan |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/nota/_/id/12154720/adrian-beltre-nombra-a-miguel-tejada-manager-en-pakistan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605182420/https://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/nota/_/id/12154720/adrian-beltre-nombra-a-miguel-tejada-manager-en-pakistan |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |language=es |agency=[[ESPN Deportes]]}}</ref> On August 4, 2023, Baseball United announced the [[Dubai Wolves]] and Abu Dhabi Falcons as the third and fourth baseball teams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=Baseball United announces Dubai Wolves and Abu Dhabi Falcons as its latest two franchises |url=https://arab.news/c8bt7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024154819/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2349496/sport |archive-date=2023-10-24 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=[[Arab News]] |language=en}}</ref> The two teams were renamed the Arabia Wolves and the Mid East Falcons, respectively, in 2024.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=March 26, 2024 |title=Baseball United Expands Reach of its Middle East Franchises |url=https://baseballunited.com/news/baseball-united-expands-reach-its-middle-east-franchises |access-date=2024-08-13 |publisher=Baseball United }}</ref>

The league's [[Draft (sports)|draft]] took place on October 23, 2023. Karan Patel, a right-handed [[pitcher]] who reached [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] in the [[Chicago White Sox]] organization,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karan Patel College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=patel-000kar |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> was selected first overall by the Mumbai Cobras. Former MLB players drafted included [[Robinson Canó]], [[Bartolo Colon]], [[Pablo Sandoval]], [[Didi Gregorius]], and [[Andrelton Simmons]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Connon |first1=Sam |title=Robinson Canó, Bartolo Colon Among Former MLB Players Drafted to New League in Dubai |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/robinson-cano-bartolo-colon-pablo-sandoval-among-former-mlb-players-drafted-to-new-baseball-league-in-dubai |access-date=23 October 2023 |work=Fastball |publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=23 October 2023 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023205939/https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/robinson-cano-bartolo-colon-pablo-sandoval-among-former-mlb-players-drafted-to-new-baseball-league-in-dubai |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 26, 2024, the league announced a fifth franchise based in [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia that did not have a nickname but eventually team was not formed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Baseball United Signs Historic Partnership to Bring Professional Baseball to Saudi Arabia |url=https://baseballunited.com/news/baseball-united-signs-historic-partnership-bring-professional-baseball-saudi-arabia |access-date=2024-08-09 |publisher=Baseball United}}</ref> On August 1, 2024, the league announced that its first full season is scheduled from October 23, 2025 to November 23, 2025. The four teams would each play 12 games. The timing and length of the season is similar to existing [[winter league baseball]] competitions. Additionally, the league stated that the first four announced teams would compete in the Baseball United Cup from February 22 to March 1, 2025. The cup had a [[Round-robin tournament|round robin]] format, followed by a four-team playoff.<ref name=":0" /> Baseball United also announced it would organize the [[Baseball United Arab Classic]], an international baseball tournament between various West Asian teams, scheduled for November 7 to November 10, 2024 in Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 October 2024 |title=Schedule of 2024 Baseball United Arab Classic unveiled |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2574705/sport |agency=Arab News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 August 2024 |title=Baseball United charting a course for professionalism in the region, says Kash Shaikh |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2569266/sport |access-date=12 October 2024 |agency=Arab News}}</ref>

The inaugural season of Baseball United involving the four founding franchises was held in November to December 2025, with the Falcons winning the first United Series championship.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 September 2025 |title=Baseball United chief Kash Shaikh 'proud' as standouts join Arabia Wolves roster |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2617260/sport |access-date=30 September 2025 |work=Arab News PK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |date=December 14, 2025 |title=Season 1 United Series Game 3 Recap {{!}} |url=https://baseballunited.com/schedule/season-one/united-series-game-three |access-date=2025-12-15 |publisher=Baseball United}}</ref>

The league announced on February 18, 2026 that CEO Kash Shaikh would step down at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite news |title=‘Honor of a lifetime’: Kash Shaikh to step down as chairman and CEO of Baseball United |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2633538/sport |access-date=18 March 2026 |agency=Arab News |date=18 February 2026}}</ref> It later announced that John Miedreich, co-founder and head of baseball operations, would take his place as CEO, while the board would be restructured to include owners [[Barry Larkin]] as chairman and [[Adrián Beltré]] and [[Robinson Chirinos]] as vice chairs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Baseball United announces new leadership structure |url=https://www.arnnewscentre.ae/news/sports/baseball-united-announces-new-leadership-structure/ |access-date=18 March 2026 |agency=ARN News |date=17 March 2026}}</ref>

== Teams ==
[[File:The 380th AEW Honor Guard presents the colors at a Baseball United game (250214-F-IQ323-1257).jpg|thumb|The [[Mid East Falcons]] and [[Arabia Wolves]] before the 2025 UAE Series]]
There are five teams (representing cities from various Asian countries) affliated with Baseball United.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Baseball United Announces Dubai Wolves And Abu Dhabi Falcons As Its Latest Two Franchises |url=https://menafn.com/1106785135/Baseball-United-Announces-Dubai-Wolves-And-Abu-Dhabi-Falcons-As-Its-Latest-Two-Franchises |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805052915/https://menafn.com/1106785135/Baseball-United-Announces-Dubai-Wolves-And-Abu-Dhabi-Falcons-As-Its-Latest-Two-Franchises |archive-date=2023-08-05 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=menafn.com }}</ref> The four founding franchises competed in the inaugural 2025 season.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Team
!City
!Country
!Joined
|-
|'''[[Mumbai Cobras]]'''
|[[Mumbai]]
|{{Flagicon|India}} [[India]]
| rowspan="4" |2023
|-
|'''[[Karachi Monarchs]]'''
|[[Karachi]]
|{{Flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]]
|-
|'''[[Dubai Wolves|Arabia Wolves]]'''
|[[Dubai]]
|rowspan="2"|{{Flagicon|UAE}} [[United Arab Emirates]]
|-
|'''[[Mid East Falcons]]'''
|[[Abu Dhabi]]

|}

==Venue==
The 6,500 seater [[Baseball United Ballpark]] at [[The Sevens Stadium|The Sevens]] in [[Dubai]] serves as the venue of the league.

== Rule changes ==
{{See also|Baseball rules}}
Baseball United has implemented various rule changes from traditional baseball, most notably the "moneyball", which allows the batting team to score double the amount of runs batted in during a single play, providing that the "moneyball" was used during the at-bat. During the Baseball United All-Star Showcase in November 2023, [[Pablo Sandoval]] hit the first "six-run home run" in baseball history during a "moneyball" at bat, after he hit what would normally be a three-run homer off of Indian pitching prospect Saurabh Gaikwad, scoring [[Dillon Thomas]] and [[Andrelton Simmons]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connon |first=Sam |date=2023-11-25 |title=Pablo Sandoval's 6-Run Home Run Highlights Wild Action in Dubai's Baseball United |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/former-mlb-all-star-pablo-sandoval-6-run-home-run-highlights-wild-action-in-dubai-league-baseball-united |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Fastball }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Baseball United All-Stars Put On Historic Show At Dubai International Stadium |url=https://baseballunited.com/news/baseball-united-all-stars-put-historic-show-dubai-international-stadium |publisher=Baseball United |access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Former SF Giants fan favorite hits world's first six-run home run |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/giants/news/former-sf-giants-star-pablo-sandoval-hits-first-six-run-home-run |access-date=9 September 2025 |work=On SI |date=29 November 2023}}</ref> Some commentators have floated the "moneyball" as a potential rule change for [[Major League Baseball]], while others have criticized it and dismissed it as a "gimmick."<ref>{{cite news |date=11 December 2024 |title=There Will Be No Golden At-Bat, But What Other Rules Could MLB Consider? |url=https://worldbaseball.com/there-will-be-no-golden-at-bat-but-what-other-rules-could-mlb-consider/ |access-date=9 September 2025 |agency=World Baseball Network}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1728480217251885465 |user=Foolishbb |title=It's weird that Baseball United is calling the run-doubling gimmick "moneyball." A true moneyball at bat would be scoring half the runs for only 20% of the effort. |author=Foolish Baseball |date=25 November 2023 |access-date=9 September 2025 |url=https://x.com/FoolishBB/status/1728480217251885465}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
Critics, primarily in the United States, have stated that the formation of Baseball United and its partnerships with prominent MLB players is an example of [[sportswashing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russ |first=Maxwell |title=Sportswashing and The UAE's Baseball United League |url=https://sports-entertainment.brooklaw.edu/sports/sportswashing-and-the-uaes-baseball-united-league/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment Law Blog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Linbergh |first=Ben |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Effectively Wild Episode 2086: Eyewash, Greenwash, Sportswash, Tell 'im Wash |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2086-eyewash-greenwash-sportswash-tell-im-wash/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=[[FanGraphs]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Asia Series]]
* [[History of baseball outside the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Baseball United}}
{{Baseball leagues}}
{{Professional Baseball}}
{{Sports leagues of India}}
{{Emirati Sport leagues}}

[[Category:Baseball United| ]]
[[Category:2022 establishments in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 2022]]
[[Category:Baseball in Asia|United]]
[[Category:Baseball in India|United]]
[[Category:Baseball in Pakistan|United]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Winter baseball leagues]]

Baseball United - Revision history

SoniaBlankinship at 18:44, 18 March 2026