The UAE players celebrate their victory at the Baseball United Arab Classic. — Supplied photo
In their maiden international baseball tournament, the UAE national team, assembled in just 30 days, delivered a remarkable performance at the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic. The team secured five wins and finished as runners-up, narrowly losing to Pakistan, the tournament's top-ranked team, in the Championship. All matches were held at Baseball United's new Ballpark at The Sevens.
The UAE triumphed over India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan during the Group Play phase, and then defeated Saudi Arabia, also making its international debut, in the quarterfinals. In a thrilling semifinal, the UAE overcame a strong Palestine team, with shortstop Chris Beyers' momentum-shifting home run leading the charge. Overall, the UAE outscored its opponents by 23 runs, with Beyers (SS), Lorenzo Riddle (RF/P), and Gabriel Reque (DH) earning All-Tournament Team honors.
This impressive debut was made possible after Baseball United Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder Kash Shaikh secured approval from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to establish and manage a national baseball program. ECB granted the rights on October 4, 2024, recognizing Baseball United's expertise and international standing.
Shaikh expressed his pride in the team, thanking the ECB for the opportunity to showcase the UAE on a global stage. The team, under the guidance of Managers Eddie Diaz and Roger Duthie, embodied the UAE's vision and values through sport, capturing the world's attention.
Diaz, a Hall of Fame Manager with a four-decade career in professional baseball, highlighted the team's historic achievement, emphasizing their pride in representing the UAE. The team looks forward to continued growth under Baseball United's leadership.
The UAE national team adheres to World Baseball Classic (WBC) eligibility rules, allowing broader participation from local residents. Baseball, a global sport with 600 million fans, is set to return to the Olympics in 2028.
Baseball United, founded in November 2022 by Shaikh, John Miedreich, and MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera, has attracted investments from 20 MLB legends, including Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols, and Robinson Cano.
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