UAE set to get its first National Baseball Team

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Baseball United have officially announced plans to establish the UAE's first National Baseball Team.

Baseball United, the first professional baseball league dedicated to the Middle East and South Asia, has received official approval from the ECB to manage the team and develop a comprehensive baseball programme across the nation.

ECB is the governing body for bat and ball sports activities in the UAE.

The new team will participate in international competitions, starting with Baseball United’s inaugural Arab Classic tournament, scheduled for November 7-10, 2024, at the league’s new ballpark in Dubai.

This historic initiative was presented to the ECB as part of Baseball United’s grassroots development strategy.

The UAE team will face off against national teams from Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, and five other regional countries at the Arab Classic event, marking a historic first for Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This tournament will be the largest of its kind in the region, with all matches held at the new ballpark at The Sevens sports and entertainment complex.

The team will adhere to World Baseball Classic eligibility rules, allowing broader participation from local residents, in addition to citizens, permanent residents and players born in the national team’s country/ territory. 

Players with at least one parent who is a citizen of the national team’s country/ territory, or whose parent was born in the country/ territory are also eligible to play. 

Another historic day for baseball here in the UAE.

Today, in partnership with @EmiratesCricket, @BaseballUnited officially announced the formation of the UAE's first-ever National Baseball Team.

This is HUGE for baseball in this region!! 🙏🙏❤️⚾️https://t.co/atYf72cgVF pic.twitter.com/BgG9l0rma8

— Kash Shaikh (@Kash_Shaikh) October 7, 2024