Baseball United to Build Middle East’s First-Ever Professional Ballpark

Baseball United to Build Middle East’s First-Ever Professional Ballpark

New ballpark will be the first professional baseball field in the history of the Middle East and South Asia

DUBAI, UAE (September 3, 2024) – Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, announced today its plans to build the first professional baseball field and ballpark in the history of the region. The new ballpark will be constructed within The Sevens sports and entertainment complex, located on Al-Ain Road (E66), just a short drive from downtown Dubai. 

The historic new ballpark will not only be the first in the UAE and GCC, but it will serve as the only professional baseball grounds across a more than 10,000 km stretch of territory ranging from Morocco in North Africa to India, Bangladesh, and several countries within Southwest Asia.

Tentatively called Baseball United Ballpark with naming rights negotiations still underway, the new field will feature a dual fiber, synthetic turf playing surface. The turf includes an organic infill and geotextile fabric optimized to ensure performance in Dubai’s high temperatures. The LED lighting system will generate more than 15 million lumens across eight lighting towers and 94 total fixtures, including the most advanced BallTracker® technology available. The ballpark’s moveable, modular seating configuration will enable space for up to 6,500 fans. 

Baseball United will construct above-ground dugouts, foul lines and foul poles, and a professional grade netting system. In addition to a state-of-the-art LED content wall, the new ballpark will include a traditional scoreboard modeled after 19th century professional games in the U.S. The ballpark will include four different seating sections, including the ultra-premium Diamond Club, optimal sight-line Infield Boxes, value-priced Outfield Boxes, and Baseball United’s signature VVIP On-Field Cabanas.

“Our league has brought together so many powerful ingredients to help make baseball the Middle East and South Asia’s next great sport,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Baseball United. “From our passionate fanbase and legendary co-owners, to our world-class players and historic franchises, we’ve worked hard to bring the best of baseball to Dubai. The only thing that has been missing was a place to call home. We wanted a true, purpose-built baseball ballpark that can serve as the launchpad for professional baseball across the region. We wanted something that was entrepreneurial and right-sized, that combined new technology while paying homage to baseball’s 150 years tradition. Thanks to the hard work of our team and the shared vision of our incredible partners, we can now make that dream a reality.”

The ballpark’s dimensions were modeled after Yankee Stadium, one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the world, with the fences measuring 318 feet (97 m) to left field, 314 feet (96 m) to right field, and 408 feet (124 m) to center field. 

The playing field will be named after Major League Baseball legend and Baseball United Co-Founder and Board Member, Barry Larkin. Larkin, who teamed with Shaikh, John Miedreich, and Mariano Rivera to create Baseball United in 2022, is one of the best shortstops in the history of the game, making 12 All-Star Teams and winning three Gold Glove Awards. Larkin was World Series Champion and the 1995 National League MVP. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

““I am truly honored to have my name associated with this historic field,” said Larkin. “For me, it has been a dream come true to bring this league to life with Kash, John, and the entire Baseball United team. We’ve already played the first professional baseball games in the UAE, and now, to have a field and ballpark of our own – it’s incredible. I can’t wait to step foot on that field later this year.”

Baseball United has teamed with some of the best stadium and pitch builders in the world to create its historic new ballpark. The league will partner with UK-based SIS Pitches on the turf, netting, and overall field development, Iowa (U.S.)-based Musco Lighting on the lighting system, and Dubai-based Al Laith on the seating.

Field construction begins this week, with the field slated to be fully complete by the end of the year. Baseball United’s two signature professional events next year – the Baseball United Cup and Baseball United Season One – will both take place in the new ballpark. Baseball United may also opt to host its Arab Classic national team event at the new ballpark as well this November during the final stages of construction.

Baseball United Ballpark will sit near the cricket ovals at The Sevens, creating the only joint bat and ball complex in the region. The Sevens, located just 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport, is an internationally-recognized sports facility, with eight grass pitches, three grass cricket ovals, and multiple netball, tennis, and basketball courts. The Sevens is home to the Emirates Dubai 7s, one of the region’s largest annual events, attracting crowds in excess of 80,000 over the three days.

“We are excited to partner with Baseball United to make history again here in Dubai,” said Mathew Tait, General Manager, Emirates Dubai 7s & The Sevens Stadium. “Adding baseball to our venue aligns perfectly with our strategy to make The Sevens the region’s premier multi-sport destination. We can’t wait to ‘play ball’ here in Dubai.”

To learn more about Baseball United, visit baseballunited.com.

###

About Baseball United

Baseball United is the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Baseball United’s inaugural Showcase event in Dubai was broadcast in 127 countries, reaching 200 million households. Our mission is to inspire one billion new fans to fall in love with baseball. Our ownership group includes award-winning entrepreneur, Kash Shaikh, and 20 baseball legends, including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrián Beltré, Robinson Chirinos, Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Ryan Howard, and Ronald Acuña Jr. In addition to our professional league, the Baseball United ecosystem spans youth development, federation partnerships, media and content production, merchandise, and non-profit outreach. With over 30 nationalities represented on our team rosters and a new suite of innovative game changes, Baseball United is working to create a new future for baseball in one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse regions in the world.