#None #Baseball United #Barry Larkin #Adrián Beltré

Major Update: Baseball United's New Leadership Team

Baseball United, a groundbreaking professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced a significant change in its leadership structure as of the 16th. This new management team is set to usher in the next growth phase for the league, focusing on strengthening regional partnerships and improving the global platform for both fans and players.

At the forefront of this new leadership is an illustrious group of Major League Baseball (MLB) legends who will guide the league's board of directors. Barry Larkin, a Hall of Famer and 12-time All-Star, takes on the role of Chairman. He is known for his exceptional career, which includes three Gold Glove awards, an MVP title in 1995, and a World Series championship.

Joining him as Vice Chairmen are Adrián Beltré and Robinson Chirinos. Beltré, also a Hall of Famer, enjoyed a stellar 19-year MLB career marked by four All-Star selections and five Gold Glove awards, along with achieving the prestigious milestone of 3,000 career hits. Chirinos, with 11 years in the MLB as a catcher, currently works as a special advisor for the Baltimore Orioles.

With this new structure, Baseball United is poised to become one of the few professional sports leagues globally where former players play a central role in its operations, ownership, and long-term strategy. All three leaders share a common vision for building a sustainable professional baseball ecosystem in the Middle East and South Asia.

Chairman Larkin expressed his commitment to creating a robust foundation for the league's long-term success. He remarked, "By implementing the right organizational structures and partnerships, along with a clear growth strategy, we will enhance the base for establishing a permanent presence for professional baseball in this region."

Vice Chairman Beltré added, "There are tremendous opportunities for player development in new markets, allowing us to expand the game's potential worldwide." Meanwhile, Chirinos emphasized the importance of connecting with fans and local communities to nurture the grassroots level of the sport and provide new opportunities for young players.

In a notable development, John Miedreich, a co-founder and the previous Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, has now been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Miedreich has been instrumental in overseeing baseball operations, fundraising, government relations, and the construction of the Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai. His extensive experience of over 20 years with the New York City Police Department has also equipped him with a unique skill set for managing large-scale international projects and building strategic partnerships in the region.

CEO Miedreich highlighted the league's recent accomplishments and its path forward, stating, "We've built a historical foundation over the past three years. Moving forward, we will focus on executing sustainable and scalable growth while collaborating with regional partners, especially as we aim for a more dynamic 2026 season that starts this November. Our efforts will include establishing a global broadcast network and enhancing fan and partner experiences."

The leadership team at Baseball United envisions building an elite-level professional baseball structure, developing youth programs, promoting grassroots efforts, and engaging with communities in one of the largest undeveloped baseball markets.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Reflecting on past milestones, including the inaugural season in 2025, the UAE Series, and the Arab Classic, the league has ambitious plans for the 2026 season. Expected initiatives include:

• - Expanding the number of games
• - Enhancing broadcast productions
• - Further improving the level of baseball
• - Enriching fan experiences
• - Expanding community activities

As details about the 2026 season emerge, Baseball United also aims to expand its collaborations with the Japanese baseball community and companies. Japan boasts one of the world's largest baseball populations and passionate fan bases, producing top talents like Shohei Ohtani. Baseball United has already engaged with various entities in Japan, including professional baseball teams, media outlets, equipment manufacturers, and business ventures to expand baseball globally.

In the 2025 season, the Mid-East Falcons featured 14 Japanese players, including notable athletes like Munenori Kawasaki and Hiroyuki Nakajima, significantly contributing to the team's success by reaching the playoffs and winning the United Series MVP award. Notably, trained players from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars also made their mark during the season, showcasing the fantastic opportunities for growth and development.

Innovatively, a partnership with TBS has facilitated a tryout project called "PLAN D," through which three selected players—Yudai Mizushina, Ryo Kanahara, and Seitaro Nakata—have successfully transitioned to professional baseball, further chronicled on the TBS network and through YouTube broadcasts.

In terms of sponsorship, Baseball United has secured partnerships with six Japanese companies, solidifying business ties. The inaugural sponsors include:

• - Zeals Co., Ltd. - Official Anime Partner
• - Tsunagaru Co., Ltd. - Official Towel of Baseball United
• - Brother Gulf FZE - Official Creative Solutions Partner
• - SSK Ltd. - Official Game Ball of Baseball United
• - Isono Sports - Official Baseball Equipment Partner
• - TKI Wagyu Trading LLC - Official Wagyu Partner

These collaborations ensure that SSK balls are used as the official game ball while promoting local craftsmanship in Dubai through products like Imabari towels as the official towel.

As the 2026 season approaches, Baseball United aims to deepen its relationships within Japan's baseball industry and beyond, striving to raise awareness of the league among fans in Japan and encourage travel and viewership.

About Baseball United

Baseball United is the first professional baseball league established in the Middle East and South Asia, with a mission to bring the allure of baseball to one billion new fans. The management team includes 20 renowned baseball legends like Barry Larkin, Adrián Beltré, Robinson Chirinos, Mariano Rivera, Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Ryan Howard, and Ronald Acuña Jr. The league operates beyond professional baseball management to focus on developing local talent, fostering partnerships with national baseball federations, engaging in media content creation, merchandise sales, and social contributions. With players from over 30 nationalities, Baseball United is positioned to pave the way for a new baseball future from one of the most diverse regions in the world.

For more information, please visit the official website at baseballunited.com or follow us on social media at @BaseballUnited.