I was doing some reading last night and came across a pretty cool site. There is a Baseball United League starting up in the Middle East. Baseball United is the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia & India regions. They have announced the expansion of its two UAE based franchises due to the growing demand for professional baseball in the region. The Dubai Wolves will now be called the Arabia Wolves, and the Abu Dhabi Falcons have been renamed the Mid East Falcons.

“Over the past two years of building within the region, we continue to be inspired by the growing number of avid and emerging baseball fans across the GCC,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United.

Baseball United will have an unlimited term to host its professional league and tournaments in the Kingdom and includes rights to new Baseball United teams representing Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam three of the Kingdom’s largest cities. This will be the first time in history that professional baseball will be brought to Saudi Arabia. “This is a monumental day for the sport of baseball,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United.

Baseball United began play in Dubai last November with its inaugural All-Star Showcase. The event was broadcast in 127 countries, reaching 200 million households. Baseball United’s ownership group now boasts 18 MLB legends, The group includes 3x All-Star and former Batting Champion, Hanley Ramirez; 11 year MLB veteran and former MLB All-Star (MLB Japan Series), Robinson Chirinos; 2x All-Star and 2x World Series Champion, Shane Victorino; All-Star and World Series Champion, Matt Barnes; and 4x All-Star and former Cy Young Winner, Bartolo Colon.

This group joins the initial investors Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrian Beltre, Felix Hernandez, Elvis Andrus, Nick Swisher and Ryan Howard as arguably the most elite ownership group in all of professional sports for on field talent. Baseball United’s former MLB owners have combined for more than 222 MLB seasons, 70 All-Star games and 14 World Series Championships. The league is scheduled to announce its 2024 gameplay plans as well as its Saudi expansion franchises later this year.

Baseball United expands with Saudi franchises

The league recently announced it would add 3 new teams in Saudi Arabia later this year, the total number of teams will be 8 for its first full season, slated to begin in the winter of 2025.

Baseball United’s mission is to inspire a billion new fans to fall in love with baseball. The ownership group includes award-winning entrepreneur, Kash Shaikh, and several inspiring baseball legends, including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrián Beltré, Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, and Ryan Howard. There are over 30 nationalities represented on the team’s rosters and a new version of innovative game changes, Baseball United is working to create a new future for baseball.

The teams that make up Baseball United before the expansion takes place that is are; The Arabia Wolves, The Karachi Monarchs, The Mid East Falcons (best logo in my opinion) and The Mumbai Cobras.

Some notable names from The Mumbai Cobras organization are: Andrelton Simmons, Shed Long, Cito Culver, Brandon Laird, and they will be managed by former Reds All-Star Chris Sabo.

The Arabia Wolves roster names some might be familiar with: Jair Jurrjens, Willin Rosario, Hernan Perez, former Yankees SS Didi Gregorius, and one of my all time favorite Yankees 2B Robinson Cano.

The Mid east Falcons notable players would be: Shungo Fukunaga (NBP) out of Japan, Pablo Sandoval SF Giants 3B, Gabriel Guerrero, and once highly touted prospect out of Cuba, the former Red Sox Rusney Castillo.

The Karachi Monarchs, players to take note of: Bartolo Colon, David Huff, Shingo Hirata (NPB) Jefry Marte, led by manager, former Baltimore Orioles Miguel Tejada.

Robinson Cano: “I am very excited to join Baseball United as an investor and co-owner,” Cano said. “I’ve dedicated my life to this game, and this investment represents the next step in that journey. I’ve been very impressed by the vision, mission and plans that Kash, John Miedreich and the Baseball United leadership team have put together, as well as the caliber of former big leaguers who’ve joined this pursuit. Our league will create many opportunities for players and coaches from around the world, while inspiring more fans to fall in love with the game. It’s truly an exciting time for international baseball.”

The 2024 season will be interesting and fun to watch. Here is a link of how some of the players got selected.

*A list of Baseball United Prospects will be submitted at a later date for your reading pleasure Yes there is going to be younger players as well, not just retired MLB guys or players that couldn’t make it to the show*

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Photo Credit; New York Post, Fact Dubai,

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