logo
Baseball United unveils schedule for historic first season

Baseball United unveils schedule for historic first season

Dubai Eye26-03-2025

Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, has announced the official schedule for its debut season.
The season will run from November 14 to December 14, with all games held at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.
It will feature the league's four founding franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons.
The teams will each play nine regular season games - facing each other three times each - followed by a best of three United Series beginning December 12 to determine the league champion.
Overall, 21 games will be played over 30 days.
The season kicks off with the historic Subcontinent Series, where the Mumbai Cobras will face the Karachi Monarchs from November 14-16, marking the first-ever Indian vs Pakistani franchises' baseball matchup.
Full rosters for the season will be announced later this spring. The league is also set to reveal its broadcast partners this summer, aiming for global coverage.
With Major League Baseball (MLB) stars like Robinson Cano, Andrelton Simmons and Pablo Sandoval joining the league, Baseball United's debut season promises to make history in the region.
pic.twitter.com/84ZFwV9VH8
— Baseball United (@BaseballUnited) March 25, 2025

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ponting dissects Gill captaincy call and India's Test squad
Ponting dissects Gill captaincy call and India's Test squad

Int'l Cricket Council

time14 hours ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Ponting dissects Gill captaincy call and India's Test squad

Australia great Ricky Ponting has provided his thoughts on India's decision to hand Shubman Gill the Test captaincy, predicted how he thinks their top-order may look in the upcoming series against England, and how the side will cope having to replace recently retired duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Two of India's greatest batters in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the longest format earlier this month, with a new era of Indian cricket to be ushered in when the side travels to Europe in June for a five-match ICC World Test Championship series against England under the leadership of Gill. The decision to hand Gill the captaincy ahead of more senior players like Jasprit Bumrah or Rishabh Pant did not surprise Ponting, with the Australian legend believing the 25-year-old can flourish in the role at Test level. "I actually think it's the right move," Ponting told The ICC Review regarding the decision to hand Gill the role as India Test captain. "I know there's a lot of other people out there, pundits out there saying they can't understand why it wasn't Bumrah and why they have gone to Shubman, but I think it's pretty simple. "Bumrah's injuries are holding him back a bit in the last couple of years and you don't want that with a captain. You can't have a captain coming in and missing games here and there, so I think it's I think it's the right decision. "Now that they've made it, it's one they've got to stick with and give him a good crack at it for, for a long period of time. "Even just looking back at the way he's handled this current GT (Gujarat Titans) team through this IPL, I think leadership sits really well with him. "And the important thing for me with leadership as well as if you're a batter and you're a captain, you have to be scoring runs. And Shubman is doing that in IPL and I think the timing is right and I think you'll have a good captain who'll make a lot of Test runs going forward." Just where Gill is best placed to bat in India's potent batting lineup is still up for debate, with the talented right-hander having been used as an opener or No.3 during all of his first 32 Test match appearances. But Ponting thinks India may get the best out of Gill if they drop him down to No.4 just to alleviate a bit of pressure against the new ball. "I think (Sai) Sudarshan and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will open the batting (in England) as Sudarshan just looks like a class player to me and technically I think he could do well at Test level," Ponting said. "They'll have two pretty young opening batters, so they might look to go for someone that's got a bit more experience at No.3. "Whether that's KL (Rahul) or Karun (Nair) at No.3, and then Shubman might end up being that No.4 player, which will probably make life for him a little bit easier as a captain as well. "Not having to be opening or batting at No.3 as a young captain might make it easier. Their top five will probably be Sudarshan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill and Karun Nair for the start of the England series." Ponting knows replacing the experience of Rohit and Kohli at Test level will be hard to do, but thinks India are as well placed as any nation to do so given their rich wealth of quality players at their disposal. "It's always very hard to replace players like that that have been around for so long that have played that much Test cricket. But if any country can do it and do it quickly, India can because of the amount of young talent that they have," Ponting noted. "I've seen it first hand for 10 years now around the IPL and we've seen the emergence of Jaiswal and these sort of guys that have come into international cricket with India and done really well pretty much straight away. "The skill side of it's one thing to replace and I think India will replace the skill side of it easily enough, but the experience is the big thing that's going to be missing for them. So now even with a young captain with Shubman Gill, they'll still have some experience around with KL, Rahul and Bumrah and these sort of guys. "But I think if you look at a rebuilding sort of phase, I think India can cope with it better than most other teams." The decision to include uncapped pacer Arshdeep Singh surprised many, but Ponting has been a long-time admirer of the left-armer and has worked closely with the 26-year-old in the Indian Premier League with the Punjab Kings this year. Ponting believes conditions in England will suit Arshdeep and expects to see India include him in their playing XI. "I would actually have him in their Test team at the start (of the England series)," Ponting said. "He's very skillful, he's played County cricket, he knows the conditions there and I think the Dukes Ball will help him in the UK as well. "And I just think to have that point of difference, having a left-armer in your team, I think will be something that, if India don't do it then it'll be a bit of a surprise to me. "As we know in England the ball still swings 30, 40 or 50 overs old. So to have someone that's got that swing bowling ability and a left-armer I think is something that the Indian team should definitely look out for on that tour." India Test squad for England: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. The ICC ReviewICC World Test ChampionshipNewsRicky Ponting

Dubai-based Indian karting prodigy Atiqa joins professional motorsport programme
Dubai-based Indian karting prodigy Atiqa joins professional motorsport programme

Gulf Today

timea day ago

  • Gulf Today

Dubai-based Indian karting prodigy Atiqa joins professional motorsport programme

Atiqa Mir, a 10-year-old Dubai-based Indian karting prodigy has become the youngest driver from the region to secure a place in a professional motorsport development programme, following her signing as an official AKCEL GP Academy driver. This landmark move signals a powerful shift in motorsport accessibility and diversity, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to nurturing next-generation talent and establishing itself as a global hub for motorsport excellence. A rising star in the karting circuit, Atiqa has already made a name for herself with her fearless driving, consistent podium finishes, and an unwavering passion for racing. She has competed in some of the world's most prestigious karting championships, including the Rotax Euro Trophy, Rotax International Trophy, IAME Series (UAE and Europe), WSK Euro Series, WSK Super Master Series, and the Champions of the Future Academy. The timing of this partnership aligns with the official launch of the AKCEL GP Academy—the cornerstone development initiative of AKCEL GP, the UAE-based high-performance motorsport team competing in FIA F4, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, and FIA F3. Opening in Abu Dhabi in August 2025, the Academy will serve as a cutting-edge training ground for the next generation of racing talent from the UAE and abroad. The Academy's inaugural batch will feature 15 promising young drivers and is committed to offering a structured and competitive pathway beginning with elite karting championships and advancing through the ranks of single-seater racing. Speaking on Atiqa's signing, Amit Kaushal, Group Chairman of AKCEL Group, said, 'Atiqa's talent, focus, and composure on track are well beyond her years. We're proud to welcome her to the AKCEL GP family and support her long-term journey toward Formula 1. Over the next 15 years, we're committed to guiding her development from karting to single-seaters as she grows into a world-class racer and future F1 contender.' As Atiqa begins her training in Abu Dhabi, she will follow a carefully structured development program designed to prepare young drivers for the demands of professional motorsport. Her training will combine simulator sessions, physical conditioning, mental coaching, race craft development, and in-depth performance analysis. A key focus of her time with AKCEL GP Academy will be competing in championships across the UAE and Europe, providing her with essential on-track experience and exposure to high-level competition early in her career. The goal is to lay a strong foundation of skills, discipline, and racecraft with a clear vision: Formula 1 as the ultimate destination. Reflecting on this new chapter in her journey, Atiqa said, 'Racing is everything to me. It's where I feel strong, fast, and free. Joining AKCEL GP Academy is a dream come true, and I want to show young girls like me from Dubai and India that we can compete at the highest levels. One day, I hope to race in Formula 1, and I'm ready to work hard to get there.' The UAE's support for motorsport development has grown rapidly over the past decade. The nation is home to internationally acclaimed circuits such as Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Autodrome and hosts one of the most prestigious events on the racing calendar, the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru offer cash help after deadly cricket stampede
Royal Challengers Bengaluru offer cash help after deadly cricket stampede

Gulf Today

timea day ago

  • Gulf Today

Royal Challengers Bengaluru offer cash help after deadly cricket stampede

Royal Challengers Bengaluru said Thursday they stood "united" with fans as the Indian Premier League champions announced financial aid to families of those crushed to death during their title celebrations. Hundreds of thousands had packed the streets in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru on Wednesday to welcome home their hero Virat Kohli and his RCB team-mates after they beat Punjab Kings in a thrilling IPL final. But the euphoria of the vast crowds ended in disaster when 11 fans died in a stampede near the city's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the players were parading the trophy. Fans wave flags as thousands gather outside the Vidhana Soudha to celebrate with Royal Challengers Bengaluru players winning the IPL. AFP Most of the dead were young fans aged between 14 and 29 who had gone out just to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Dozens of abandoned shoes and flip-flops littered the site in the aftermath. RCB offered financial aid of $11,655 to each family of those killed. Indian media have widely reported the team earned $2.3 million in prize money alone for taking the title on Wednesday. "Our fans will always remain at the heart of everything that we do," RCB said. "We remain united in grief." Fans look at a digital board screening live Virat Kohli during celebrations at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. AFP Kohli, who top-scored in the final, said he was "at a loss for words" after celebrations of a dream IPL crown turned to tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident "absolutely heartrending." 'Stamped on me' Police used mild force to disperse people outside the stadium, an eyewitness told AFP, but the crowd was "extremely difficult" to control. Lakshminarayan, who lost his 14-year-old granddaughter in the crush, said his family carried the child in a motor rickshaw to hospital. He said celebrations should have been delayed to prepare for the widely expected mass crowds. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah (Centre L) visits a victim of the stampede. AFP "There was no need to conduct celebrations the very next day, they should have postponed it to a week and organised it a better way," he said. "You should take all precautionary measures, they should have police protection and follow the queue system." One of the people injured described to AFP how a "huge crowd" had crushed her. "They stamped on me," said the woman, who did not give her name, from a wheelchair. "I was not able to breathe. I fell unconscious." 'Died in an RCB shirt' Street food vendor Manoj Kumar mourned the death of his 18-year-old son. "I wanted him to go to college," Kumar told the Indian Express newspaper. "I brought him up with a lot of care. Now he is gone." Security personnel constrain fans outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. AFP A grieving mother outside a city mortuary said her 22-year-old engineering student son had also died. "He was crazy about RCB," she was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. "He died in an RCB shirt. They danced when RCB won and now he is gone. Can RCB give him back to us?" Authorities had already called off RCB's proposed open-top bus victory parade through the streets after anticipating vast crowds. But organisers pressed ahead with the welcome ceremony and celebrations inside the stadium. RCB's social media account posted a video of cheering crowds lining the streets as the players waved back from their team bus on their way to the stadium. The team said they cut short the celebrations "immediately upon being made aware of the situation." Karnataka state chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the stadium had a capacity of "only 35,000 people, but 200,000-300,000 people came." Agence France-Presse

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store