Unlike most South American nations, Venezuela has not been a breeding ground for football stars. They remain the sole member of the South American football confederation that has never made it to the football World Cup, which first kicked off in Uruguay in 1930. However, amidst ongoing political turmoil, violence, and economic hardship, Venezuela has shown a strong inclination towards baseball, America's beloved sport. Since 1939, over 400 Venezuelan players have made their mark in Major League Baseball.

One notable Venezuelan MLB player is Robinson Chirinos, who left his homeland at the age of 16 and went on to establish himself as a catcher, playing for teams like the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles. Now 40, Chirinos is a co-owner of Baseball United, a pioneering baseball league launched in Dubai last year. The league, which started with a few exhibition games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, is set to officially commence in October 2025 with five professional teams featuring top baseball talents.

Chirinos is particularly enthusiastic about the BU Arab Classic, a minor league tournament aimed at fostering baseball in the Middle East and South Asia. This event, scheduled for November, will showcase national teams from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and Palestine competing in baseball. Chirinos, who recently visited Dubai for a related event, expressed his satisfaction in providing opportunities for aspiring baseball players from conflict-ridden areas like Palestine.

“Baseball is about believing in better days ahead and uniting people,” Chirinos shared with the Khaleej Times. “Including a team from Palestine during these troubled times brings hope. It’s a significant moment for me as a co-owner of Baseball United.” The Palestinian team, predominantly composed of players based in the US, faces challenges due to the ongoing conflict, making regular training sessions nearly impossible.

While sports alone cannot heal deep wounds, they can offer hope during dire times. “As sports ambassadors, we have a duty to make a difference,” Chirinos stated. “We have a chance to introduce a new sport to the region and include a country like Palestine in a historic sports event.” He added, “Baseball provided me the chance to fulfill my dreams as a Major League player. I joined Baseball United to offer similar opportunities to kids in Palestine and other regions, despite their hardships.”

Chirinos is also looking forward to seeing traditional cricket rivals, India and Pakistan, engage in baseball. “It will be the first time India and Pakistan play baseball. It’s exciting and I hope these matches will help bridge gaps between the two nations,” he commented. “Baseball United aims to connect people from diverse backgrounds and countries.”