Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Two students from GEMS Dubai American Academy, Zachary Swartz and Gabriel Reque-Cruz, are breaking new ground for baseball in the UAE, having been selected to represent the country in its first-ever national baseball team.
Both young athletes took part in the Arab Classic, a regional tournament hosted by Baseball United, where they competed against teams from across the Middle East.
They will be playing for the UAE national team throughout the season, helping to write a new chapter in the development of what was once considered a fringe sport in the region.
A Journey of Passion and Dedication
For 18-year-old Reque-Cruz, the journey into baseball began as a weekend pastime when he was in the second grade.
Speaking to Aletihad, he said: "I didn't even know what the sport was when I moved to Dubai. At the time, I was more into football, but my mom, being American, put a glove in my hand, and that was the start of everything."
By the fourth grade, Reque-Cruz was playing in his first international tournament in Kuwait. It was during this event that his passion for the sport was awakened, eventually switching from football to focus solely on baseball.
Over the years, training sessions, baseball games and international competitions became an integral part of Reque-Cruz's life. His dedication also earned him a spot on the Spanish U18 national team last summer.
Swartz, (17), on the other hand, was introduced to baseball at a much younger age.
"I started when I was three years old in Texas," he said. "My dad played baseball in high school, and he wanted me to try it out."
After moving to Dubai, Swartz joined the Dubai Little League and quickly grew fond of the game. By the third grade, he had already participated in his first international tournament in Singapore, playing for the same Dubai Little League team.
A Growing Baseball Community in the UAE
The aspiring athletes credit their success to several key figures in the UAE baseball community, who have offered invaluable mentorship throughout their journey.
They include: Steve Fish, a coach for the UAE national team; Kash Shaikh, the chairman, CEO and founder of Baseball United; Roger Duthie, the President of Dubai Little League and assistant manager for the UAE national team; Eddie Diaz, the head manager for the national team; and Mark Hallberg, a former coach at Dubai Little League.
While baseball has never been the most popular sport in the UAE, both Reque-Cruz and Swartz are witnessing a shift.
"A couple of years ago, baseball wasn't as well known," Reque-Cruz said. "But with events like the Arab Classic tournaments and the growing exposure, the sport is gaining more traction in Dubai and across the UAE."
Similarly, Swartz is excited by the increasing popularity of baseball in the UAE.
"After the announcement, I had friends at school come up to me and say they want to try out for the baseball team," Swartz said. "It's exciting because, until now, baseball hasn't been something many people here were interested in."
Balancing School and Sports
For both players, balancing their rigorous academic schedules with their intense training commitments has been a challenge, but they've found ways to make the most of it.
Reque-Cruz, an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, juggles multiple sports, including volleyball and baseball, while maintaining his academic responsibilities.
"At first, it was difficult," he admits. "But I realised that having a busy schedule actually helped me manage my time better. When I had more free time, I ended up procrastinating, but when I had back-to-back sports and academics, I learned how to stay organised."
Swartz has also developed a routine that allows him to balance his studies with baseball.
"It was tough at first with practices almost every day, but I found a routine that works," he explained. "I study for an hour right after school, then have dinner, and study again before bed. That helps me stay on top of things."
The Big Moment: Joining the UAE National Team
Swartz remembers being stunned when he received the news of his selection to the UAE national baseball team.
"I got the message from Roger and I was completely shocked. I thought, 'This is going to be an amazing opportunity'," he said.
Reque-Cruz had a feeling that he would be selected.
"I was actually planning to play in a volleyball tournament the same weekend as the Arab Classic, but once I got the official news, I knew I had to choose baseball," he said.
Looking ahead, both athletes have ambitious goals.
Swartz hopes to continue his baseball journey in the U.S. at the collegiate level, while Reque-Cruz is considering Spain as a potential destination for a professional baseball career.
"For now, I'm focused on doing my best with the UAE national team," Reque-Cruz added. "But I'm excited to see what the future holds."
