Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, have set in motions plans to build the first professional ball-park in Dubai, a first in the history of the region. The location is The Sevens sports complex, on the road to Al Ain (E66) and the ground-breaking session was held this week.
The naming rights for the ball-park are yet to be finalised and negotiations are on, but the playing field will be named after Major League Baseball legend and BU co-founder Barry Larkin. The project is set for an ambitious finish by late 2024, according to the stakeholders at Baseball United (BU).
The ball-park will serve as the only professional baseball grounds across more than a 10,000-kilometre territory stretch from Morocco in North Africa to India, Bangladesh, and several countries within southwest Asia.
The field will feature a dual-fibre, synthetic turf playing surface. This 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 ball-tracking technology available. A moveable, modular seating configuration will accommodate up to 6,500 fans.
There will be 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 ball-park will include a traditional scoreboard modelled similar to the 19th century games in the United States.
With elements such as a good fan base, world-class players, franchises and famous owners of those teams playing in the BU League, the chairman and co-founder Kash Shaikh said: “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.”
Modelled after the Yankee Stadium, the dream of BU stakeholders is closer to becoming reality. “I am truly honoured to have my name associated with this historic field,” said Larkin, the former Cincinnati Reds player. He made 12 All-Star teams and won three Gold Glove Awards.
A World Series Champion, the 1995 National League MVP was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2012. “For me, it has been a dream come true to bring this league to life... we’ve already played the first professional baseball games in the UAE, and now, to have a ball-park of our own – it’s incredible. I can’t wait to step foot on that field later this year,” Larkin said.
The ball-park will sit near the cricket ovals at The Sevens, creating the only joint bat and ball complex in the region. The Sevens has eight grass pitches, three grass cricket ovals, and multiple netball, tennis, and basketball courts. The Sevens is home to the Emirates Dubai 7s rugby tournament.
“We are excited to partner with Baseball United to make history again here in Dubai,” said Mathew Tait, General Manager, Emirates Dubai 7s and 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.”
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 ball-park. 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.
