DUBAI: Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, has announced new dates and format for its inaugural Dubai Showcase event.

The Showcase will feature two Baseball United All-Star teams playing a two-game series on Nov. 24 and 25, recognized as Thanksgiving weekend in the US. The Showcase will be preceded by a weeklong calendar of community events.

“Unity is not only built into our name at Baseball United, it’s ingrained in our DNA,” said Kash Shaikh, CEO, chairman and majority owner of Baseball United. “Since we began this journey, every person in our organization has been passionate about bringing people together through the game we all love.

“Instead of focusing on the sports rivalries that will excite our fans in the future, we wanted to hero the unity that has ignited our league since its inception. And what better way to do that than spending Thanksgiving weekend here in the UAE, watching our league’s best stars from a dozen different countries all playing with the words ‘United’ across their chests.”

The two teams will be called the Baseball United East All-Stars and Baseball United West All-Stars and will include 22 professional players and three prospects per team.

Of the 44 professional players, at least 75 percent will have Major League Baseball experience. Baseball United’s inaugural draft will now be held virtually on Monday, Oct. 23, with All-Star rosters announced on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

“We fully support Baseball United’s decision to evolve the dates and format of their Showcase event,” said Mubashshir Usmani, general secretary of Emirates Cricket Board. “Together, we’re looking forward to hosting fans from across the world at Dubai International Stadium for this premier event.”

Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 19. Visit baseballunited.com/tickets, or purchase directly via Platinumlist.