Dubai, UAE — (September 30, 2025) — Baseball United announced today that 13 of the 23 roster spots for its Mid East Falcons franchise will feature Japanese players. The Falcons will compete in the league’s inaugural season, which will occur this November and December in Dubai. The group of players represents nearly 60% of the team’s roster, and includes nine players who’ve competed in the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB), the highest level of baseball in Japan.

Japan is currently ranked No. 1 in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), a position it has earned through decades of international dominance. The country boasts a deep baseball heritage dating back to the 19th century, with NPB widely regarded as the #2 professional baseball league in the world, behind Major League Baseball (MLB). Japan has won multiple World Baseball Classic championships and consistently produces elite talent that succeeds on both the domestic and MLB stage, including the reigning MVP from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani.

With millions of active players across all levels and one of the most passionate fan bases in sports, Japan is one of the world’s most prominent baseball-playing nations. It also boasts the highest per capita baseball viewership in the world. Japan’s games in the 2023 World Baseball Classic posted massive viewership, with all seven games drawing 30 million or more viewers. More recently, the 2024 MLB World Series averaged 12.9 million viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched Fall Classic in the country’s history.

Baseball United has been making significant inroads in the country over the last year, including through a broadcast partnership with Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) that includes a reality TV series to discover the nation’s next baseball stars. The competition’s top players will also join the Falcons roster. The winners will be announced before the start of the season.

“Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United. “It has everything that produces elite baseball - an elite professional league, strong minor and independent leagues, exceptional high school programs, widespread youth engagement, and one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. It’s an honor to have so many Japanese players representing the Falcons. Their experience, talent, and knowledge of the game will make an immediate impact — not only on the field, but also in inspiring fans back home and across the world.”

The Japanese players represent a mix of international stars, NPB standouts, as well as young prospects from the Yokohama DeNA Baystars organization, including:

Munenori Kawasaki, 44, infielder from Kagoshima, Japan.
Kawasaki is a veteran infielder whose career spans NPB, MLB, CPBL, and now the Route-Inn BCL, a Japanese independent league. He debuted with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Currently Fukuoka Softbank Hawks) in 2001 and later played in the U.S. for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs. He also represented Japan at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics, winning both tournaments. Kawasaki played in Taiwan with Wei Chuan Dragons in 2019, and since 2020, he has been a member of the Tochigi Golden Braves in Japan’s independent BCL, where he continues to play and also serves as a technical advisor. His energy, speed, and leadership will make him a valuable ambassador for Baseball United.

Hiroyuki Nakajima, 43, infielder from Hyogo, Japan.
Nakajima built a distinguished career as a shortstop in NPB, starring for the Seibu Lions, later joining the Orix Buffaloes, Yomiuri Giants and Chunichi Dragons. In 2012, he signed with the Oakland Athletics, bringing his talents to the United States. During his career in NPB, he earned multiple Best Nine and Golden Glove awards and represented Japan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic. After announcing his retirement in 2024, Nakajima made a surprise return to active play for Baseball United’s inaugural season, bringing veteran presence and decades of expertise to the clubhouse.

Shuhei Fukuda, 36, outfielder from Kanagawa, Japan.
Fukuda is a versatile outfielder who played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Chiba Lotte Marines in NPB, known for his speed and defensive range. He announced his retirement in 2024, but in February 2025, he returned active and played in the Baseball United UAE Series, gaining international exposure. Later that year, he also began serving as a special assignment coach and consultant with the Seattle Mariners, an uncommon honor for a Japanese player without prior MLB experience.

Manato Tanai, 18, infielder from Hiroshima, Japan.
Tanai began his professional career when he was drafted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in 2024 and is regarded as one of their top prospects. A right-handed hitter, he is known for his speed, strong arm, and reliable defense. In his rookie year, he played in the Eastern League, NPB’s farm system, gaining valuable experience and earning selection to the 2025 Fresh All-Star Game as one of NPB’s rising talents.

The Mid East Falcons will debut alongside the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, and Arabia Wolves in Baseball United’s first professional season this November. The Falcons’ first game is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th, against the Monarchs.

Baseball United’s first season will feature 21 games across four weeks, all played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai, with broadcasts reaching fans around the world. The season will culminate with the United Series — a best-of-three championship final — played from December 12–14.

All Baseball United games will air locally and internationally, with official broadcast partners to be announced in October. The full Wolves roster and schedule can be viewed at baseballunited.com.

About Baseball United
Baseball United is the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Baseball United’s inaugural Showcase event in Dubai was broadcast in 127 countries, reaching 200 million households. Our mission is to inspire one billion new fans to fall in love with baseball. Our ownership group includes award-winning entrepreneur, Kash Shaikh, and 20 baseball legends, including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrián Beltré, Albert Pujols, Elvis Andrus, Robinson Chirinos, Felix Hernandez, Ryan Howard, and Ronald Acuña Jr. In addition to our professional league, the Baseball United ecosystem spans youth development, federation partnerships, media and content production, merchandise, and non-profit outreach. With over 30 nationalities represented on our team rosters and a new suite of innovative game changes, Baseball United is working to create a new future for baseball in one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse regions in the world.

Media Contacts:
Salome Fernandes, Senior Vice President, Media, Baseball United
salome@baseballunited.com