Baseball United To Build Middle East’s First-ever Professional Ballpark In Dubai

Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, announced its plans to build a professional baseball field and ballpark in Dubai, the first such ballpark in 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.

Baseball United said the 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 will include an organic infill and geotextile fabric optimised 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.

It 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,” he said.

Shaikh said the club wanted a true, purpose-built baseball ballpark that can serve as the launchpad for professional baseball across the region.

“Thanks to the hard work of our team and the shared vision of our incredible partners, we can now make that dream a reality,” he said.

The Dubai ballpark’s dimensions were modelled after Yankee Stadium, one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the world.

The playing field will be named after Major League Baseball legend and Baseball United Co-Founder and Board Member, Barry Larkin.

“I am truly honoured 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,” he said.

Baseball United said it has teamed with some of the best stadium and pitch builders in the world to create its new ballpark.

The league will partner with UK-based SIS Pitches on the turf, netting, and overall field development, Iowa (US)-based Musco Lighting on the lighting system, and Dubai-based Al Laith on the seating.

It said the field construction will begin 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,” the club said.