Baseball United, the primary skilled baseball league centered on the Center East and South Asia, introduced at present its plans to construct the primary skilled baseball discipline and ballpark within the historical past of the area. The brand new ballpark might be constructed inside The Sevens sports activities and leisure advanced, positioned on Al-Ain Highway (E66), only a brief drive from downtown Dubai.
The historic new ballpark is not going to solely be the primary within the UAE and GCC, however it should function the one skilled baseball grounds throughout a greater than 10,000 km stretch of territory starting from Morocco in North Africa to India, Bangladesh, and several other nations inside Southwest Asia.
Tentatively referred to as Baseball United Ballpark with naming rights negotiations nonetheless underway, the brand new discipline will function a twin fiber, artificial turf enjoying floor. The turf consists of an natural infill and geotextile material optimized to make sure efficiency in Dubai’s excessive temperatures. The LED lighting system will generate greater than 15 million lumens throughout eight lighting towers and 94 complete fixtures, together with essentially the most superior BallTracker® know-how obtainable. The ballpark’s moveable, modular seating configuration will allow house for as much as 6,500 followers.
Baseball United will assemble above-ground dugouts, foul strains and foul poles, and knowledgeable grade netting system. Along with a state-of-the-art LED content material wall, the brand new ballpark will embrace a standard scoreboard modeled after nineteenth century skilled video games within the U.S. The ballpark will embrace 4 completely different seating sections, together with the ultra-premium Diamond Membership, optimum sight-line Infield Bins, value-priced Outfield Bins, and Baseball United’s signature VVIP On-Area Cabanas.
“Our league has introduced collectively so many highly effective substances to assist make baseball the Center East and South Asia’s subsequent nice sport,” stated Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Baseball United. “From our passionate fanbase and legendary co-owners, to our world-class gamers and historic franchises, we’ve labored exhausting to carry the perfect of baseball to Dubai. The one factor that has been lacking was a spot to name dwelling. We needed a real, purpose-built baseball ballpark that may function the launchpad for skilled baseball throughout the area. We needed one thing that was entrepreneurial and right-sized, that mixed new know-how whereas paying homage to baseball’s 150 years custom. Because of the exhausting work of our workforce and the shared imaginative and prescient of our unbelievable companions, we are able to now make that dream a actuality.”
The ballpark’s dimensions had been modeled after Yankee Stadium, one of the vital iconic baseball stadiums on the planet, with the fences measuring 318 toes (97 m) to left discipline, 314 toes (96 m) to proper discipline, and 408 toes (124 m) to middle discipline.
The enjoying discipline might be named after Main 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 without doubt one of the greatest shortstops within the historical past of the sport, making 12 All-Star Groups and profitable three Gold Glove Awards. Larkin was World Sequence Champion and the 1995 Nationwide League MVP. He was inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame in 2012.
““I’m actually honored to have my identify related to this historic discipline,” stated Larkin. “For me, it has been a dream come true to carry this league to life with Kash, John, and your complete Baseball United workforce. We’ve already performed the primary skilled baseball video games within the UAE, and now, to have a discipline and ballpark of our personal – it’s unbelievable. I can’t wait to step foot on that discipline later this yr.”
Baseball United has teamed with a number of the greatest stadium and pitch builders on the planet to create its historic new ballpark. The league will companion with UK-based SIS Pitches on the turf, netting, and total discipline growth, Iowa (U.S.)-based Musco Lighting on the lighting system, and Dubai-based Al Laith on the seating.
Area development begins this week, with the sphere slated to be absolutely full by the top of the yr. Baseball United’s two signature skilled occasions subsequent yr – the Baseball United Cup and Baseball United Season One – will each happen within the new ballpark. Baseball United may decide to host its Arab Basic nationwide workforce occasion on the new ballpark as effectively this November through the ultimate levels of development.
Baseball United Ballpark will sit close to the cricket ovals at The Sevens, creating the one joint bat and ball advanced within the area. The Sevens, positioned simply half-hour from Dubai Worldwide Airport, is an internationally-recognized sports activities facility, with eight grass pitches, three grass cricket ovals, and a number of netball, tennis, and basketball courts. The Sevens is dwelling to the Emirates Dubai 7s, one of many area’s largest annual occasions, attracting crowds in extra of 80,000 over the three days.
“We’re excited to companion with Baseball United to make historical past once more right here in Dubai,” stated Mathew Tait, Common Supervisor, Emirates Dubai 7s & The Sevens Stadium. “Including baseball to our venue aligns completely with our technique to make The Sevens the area’s premier multi-sport vacation spot. We will’t wait to ‘play ball’ right here in Dubai.”
To be taught extra about Baseball United, go to baseballunited.com.