The Baseball United Arab Classic: A Clash of Nations where Baseball Triumphs
Baseball United is on a mission to get a billion people to fall in love with the sport.
The Baseball United Arab Classic from Nov 7-10th (Baseball United)
When Samarth Mishra was introduced to baseball as a 12-year old, it was love at first sight.
A year later, the teenager played his first tournament and fast-forward to earlier this year, Samarth Mishra was awarded the Catcher of the Year in the Indian National Baseball championship.
Samarth Mishra will play a key role for India in the Baseball United Arab Classic
Having played several other sports as a child growing up in a small town in Indore from Madhya Pradesh, India, “I have played a lot of sports in my life but once I started playing baseball I instantly fell in love with the game,” says Samarth Mishra.
Just like Samarth Mishra from India, elsewhere, in faraway Houston, Texas, Sameer Khatri from Pakistan, fell in love with baseball as a four-year old instantly.
He made his high school varsity team as a freshman and got hooked up to the game for four years. During those 4 years, he received multiple first team all district honours and helped advance his team into the playoffs. He then went on to wield the club for the Pakistan National baseball team.
Sameer adds, “In my tenure with Pakistan baseball, I competed in the Lincoln Cup in Chicago, Illinois. I have also competed in the BFA Asian Championships in Taipei, Taiwan,”
A Huge Opportunity
In November, Samarth Mishra from India and Sameer Khatri from Pakistan will face-off in an one of a kind tournament in Dubai – the Baseball United Arab Classic, the largest and most competitive Baseball National Team tournament in history.
The Baseball United Arab Classic will be played over 4 days in Dubai and shall feature nine nations, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Afghanistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.
For players like Samarth Mishra and Sameer Khatri, the tournament is a huge opportunity to showcase their wares.
Sameer Khatri will play Infield for Pakistan
Sameer Khatri quotes, “The Baseball United Arab Classic is helping the players so much by giving them a platform to showcase their skills,”
Samarth Mishra from India echoes the same sentiment. “The Baseball United Arab Classic is going to be the biggest opportunity of my life for that I have been working hard since the day I got selected in the team,” he says.
Samarth is grateful to Kash Shaikh, CEO, Chairman and Cofounder of Baseball United, for promoting the game. “Mr. Kash Shaikh comes in with his idea of promoting the game here in Asia that will help us a lot,” he said.
Vinay Kumar from India in action
Another player to look out for from India is Vinay Kumar B M from Bangalore, who took to baseball rather early, in the fourth grade.
Vinay Kumar made the switch from cricket and made rapid strides with baseball. Over the years, he has competed in various tournaments both at club-level with AR Amigos and district-level representing Bengaluru. He then went on to play at the National-level for Karnataka.
Vinay Kumar quotes, “Baseball has become a huge part of my life, and my goal is to continue representing India and eventually play in professional leagues like Baseball United. I’m honoured to represent India internationally at the Baseball United Arab Classic,”
Additionally, Vinay Kumar recognises the efforts of Kash Shaikh in ‘making financial investments to uplift baseball in the region.’ “Kash Shaikh, with his vision and dynamic leadership of Baseball United, has achieved more for the sport in the last two years than anyone before him,” he adds.
Umair Bhatti from Pakistan started his journey in baseball at the age of just 12!
Another player that is looking forward to the tournament is Pakistan’s Umair Bhatti who started his baseball journey when he travelled to Japan for a tournament as a 12-year-old.
“I played nationally and internationally getting more recognition and expertise. This eventually led me to becoming the captain of the Baseball team winning many awards and trophies for my country,” he says.
For Umair Bhatti, the Baseball United Arab Classic is a ‘big event in the subcontinent.’ “Events like this motivates players because of the opportunity they provide. A chance to showcase our ability and love for the sports,” he adds.
Having met Kash Shaikh, Umair Bhatti calls him a ‘generous and a hardworking person.’ “Kash’s diligent efforts on promoting baseball in the subcontinent is truly admirable,” says Umair Bhatti.
While the tournament itself promises exciting action, there is one match that is bound to grab eyeballs.
India Vs Pakistan
The two nations have had many memorable encounters in cricket and hockey. But on the 8th of November, India and Pakistan will face off in a ballpark for perhaps the first time in history at 9:30PM IST.
And, needless to say, the players are looking forward to the game.
In the Indian camp, Samarth Mishra acknowledges that players have talked about this match up. “And why shouldn’t we,” he says, recalling the traditional rivalry. “India and Pakistan, both the countries are sharing the rivalry from a very long time whether it is cricket or Olympics or in any other sport. With such a very big stage like the Baseball United Arab Classic, it is going to be filled with excitement and emotions. All of our teammates are ready for the big match and we can guarantee you the goosebumps and nail-biting match.”
Vinay Kumar, from India, is ‘incredibly excited’ at the prospect of playing against his neighbours. “India-Pakistan games are always special, no matter the sport. There’s a natural rivalry that adds intensity to the game, and we’re eager to showcase our skills on such a big platform.”
Sameer Khatri from Pakistan calls it ’one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports’ and believes that the match can help mobilise fans for the sport in both countries. “I am very excited for the India-Pakistan match up. Baseball fans know the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox or the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres; this matchup between India-Pakistan is something that goes beyond that.”
Umair Bhatti from Pakistan mentions, “I have been preparing for the event for months now. The team has set up practice sessions where every player gives his best. The India and Pakistan match is definitely a motivation to us. Can't wait to see India on the field,”
Helping Popularise Baseball
Across the Middle East and the Asian Sub-Continent, sports like football and cricket hog the limelight but baseball does have a select fan following.
Samarth Mishra from India, specifies “The Baseball United Arab Classic is helping the players so much by giving them a platform to showcase their skills. An event like this will open more doors for players. So finally, we can say yes, we are growing as baseball players just because of Baseball United. Now we can think of choosing the game as a full-time career. It is going to gather more fans to support their respective nations and with that everyone can fall in love with this game like I did,”
Vinay Kumar acknowledges that the tournament will ‘pave the way for Indian players.’ “The Arab Classic is a significant step not just for me, but for baseball across the entire subcontinent. Events like the Baseball United Arab Classic help increase visibility for the sport back home, inspiring younger players to take baseball seriously." Organisation and professionalism are integral to the growth of a new endeavour and if the players are to be believed, Baseball United has struck the right chord. “Baseball United has brought a level of professionalism that’s helping elevate the sport throughout the region,” he adds.
Meanwhile Sameer Khatri from Pakistan feels that the Baseball United Arab Classic will help popularise the sport in the region. “It's also helping the game grow by having all of the countries compete against each other because it will draw more fans who are eager to support their own nation. I think it will help people learn the game of baseball and hopefully draw them in for the long haul.”
And Umair Bhatti feels that Kash Shaikh’s efforts with Baseball United will give players a chance. “I have been playing baseball for many years now and I'm grateful to Kash Shaikh, CEO, Chairman and Cofounder of Baseball United because it is his efforts that has given so much motivation to the players of the sub-continent,” he says.
Kash Shaikh’s Vision
Kash Shaikh adds that Baseball United’s approach to working with federations to identify and groom the best talent for international competitions like the Baseball United Arab Classic will make a huge impact in popularising the sport in the region.
A lot of credit, therefore, must go to Kash Shaikh, CEO, Chairman, and Co-Founder of Baseball United, for pulling off a concept such as the Baseball United Arab Classic which is no easy feat.
And the players duly acknowledge the efforts.
Samarth Mishra from India, is quick to recognise the support of Kash Shaikh in supplying equipment so players can train. “We are getting supplies- the kits, baseball bats and most importantly to play in an international event,” he says, with more than a sense of gratitude to Kash Shaikh.
As for Vinay Kumar, Kash Shaikh’s vision makes all the difference. “Kash Shaikh, with his vision and dynamic leadership of Baseball United, has achieved more for the sport in the last two years than anyone before him.”
Kash Shaikh, CEO, Chairman, and Co-Founder of Baseball United
Meanwhile, Sameer Khatri from Pakistan mentions, “All of this is due to the hard work of Mr Kash Shaikh. He is doing a tremendous job of growing this game and giving opportunities to people,”
Umair Bhatti explains the importance of Baseball United for the players. “Kash Shaikh’s diligent efforts on promoting baseball in the subcontinent is truly admirable. Baseball United has provided great opportunity in bringing forth talented baseball players. The Baseball United Arab Classic event has a huge importance to us,” he says.
With a firm vision and stellar organisation, the foundation is very and truly in place.
And come the 7th of November, when the players assemble to represent their nations, regardless of who wins, the game of baseball emerges victorious.
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