Baseball United to introduce professional baseball in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Baseball United, the pioneering professional baseball league focusing on the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, has secured the rights to establish franchises in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, marking a historic milestone as the first professional baseball venture in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement entails Baseball United’s commitment to fostering the sport’s growth in the country through player and coach training initiatives, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. With an estimated 1.5 million fans in Saudi Arabia, Baseball United views this partnership as a groundbreaking opportunity to contribute to the kingdom’s sports development endeavors.

Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Baseball United, hailed the collaboration as a monumental occasion for the sport. He expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s dedication to sports development and emphasized the significance of including baseball in the nation’s ambitious plans for growth and investment.

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Shaikh underscored the partnership’s potential to expand Baseball United’s presence and influence in the region while enabling grassroots efforts to nurture the game’s popularity in the Middle East’s largest country.

Excited about the collaboration, Shaikh looks forward to collaborating with key figures from the Saudi Baseball and Softball Federation (SBSF), including Chairman Nayef bin Mohammed bin Abdul Mohsen bin Humaid, Vice Chairman Reem bint Sufyan bin Abdul Latif Banaja, CEO Abdul Rahman bin Hassan Al-Shehri, and other stakeholders.

Established in 2019, the SBSF is the youngest baseball federation globally, dedicated to advancing the sport’s development in Saudi Arabia. With a focus on nurturing local talent, the federation aims to prepare the national team for future World Baseball Softball Confederation tournaments.

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Bin Humaid highlighted the SBSF’s commitment to fostering a thriving baseball community within Saudi Arabia and expressed optimism about the partnership with Baseball United. He believes that the collaboration will enhance the sport’s profile, elevate player standards, and attract greater attention to baseball in the kingdom.

Baseball United made its debut in Dubai last November with the All-Star Showcase, marking the region’s first professional baseball games. The event garnered global attention, reaching 200 million households across 127 countries. With a roster boasting 18 Major League Baseball legends, Baseball United has announced franchises such as the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, and two UAE-based teams, the Wolves and Falcons.

Also read: The Baseball United All-Stars deliver a historic show at Dubai International Stadium

The league plans to unveil its 2024 gameplay strategy and details about its expansion into Saudi Arabia later this year, further solidifying its commitment to revolutionizing baseball in the region.