Dubai: As the lines ‘Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd' are sung by the happy throng of young players and eager parents, you could be forgiven for thinking this was any summer weekend in Anytown, USA. In fact the scene was being played out in Dubai, UAE.
For 20 years now, the institution that is Little League Baseball has been keeping kids aged from five to 16 both entertained and — importantly in these fitness-conscious times — active, in Dubai.
While the leagues have inevitably been dominated by the children of expatriates from baseball-mad countries, there are a growing number of locals taking part this year, such as Ferris Al Hamar, who plays in the Majors league for 11- and 12-year-olds with Subway Reds. Greg Sproule, President of the Dubai league, describes the Emirati as someone who ‘works hard, has made a ton of new friends and is one of the most fun-loving kids in the league'.
Grand ceremony
There are now 31 different nationalities represented in the 410 youngsters registered to play in the new season, which was officially launched at a grand opening day ceremony earlier this month — which included a rendition of the traditional baseball song ‘Take Me Out To The Ball Game'.
"The league has a fantastic mosaic of children from all over the world," Sproule said. "We have 39 teams competing in six different age group divisions — including four teams in girls' softball, which continues to grow each year. We are also proud to have an increasing number of Emirati kids.
"We had a fantastic opening day ceremony. All went exceptionally well and we had over a thousand kids, parents and Dubai Little League corporate partners there. We couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.
"The league has now officially started for the 2012 season and will conclude at the end of March. We also host a large invitational baseball and softball tournament at the end of April, with teams from the GCC and beyond, which we always look forward to."
The opening day ceremony saw all the teams take to the league's fields next to Al Quoz Pond Park, where they watched the flag ceremony, which was led by Boy Scouts Troop 813. After the UAE national anthem, the Little League season was officially opened when US Consul General Justin Siberell threw the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Sam.
Diverse event
"While baseball is known as America's favourite pastime, Dubai Little League demonstrates that, with children from so many countries participating in the game here in Dubai, that its popularity certainly goes far beyond the borders of the United States," Siberell said.
"Our Dubai league is the most diverse Little League in the world, with kids from 31 countries taking part.
"I grew up playing Little League Baseball in Northern California and have been a fan of the game all my life. It's wonderful to see so many kids, their families and the scores of volunteers here in Dubai participating with the enthusiasm they have, and seeing that in action at the opening day ceremony.
"Our thanks go out to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] for his continued support for our Little League and making this wonderful community experience possible."
Little league matches are held every Friday and Saturday during the season, with practice sessions held every day during the week.
Sproule added: "One of our continued focuses for the future is to develop our T-Ball — for five and six-year-olds — PeeWee for six and seven-year-olds and girls' softball for nine to 13-year-olds. "All our leagues are important to us but we really want to work hard."
For more information log on to www.eteamz.com/DubaiLittleLeague
