Baseball United, the inaugural professional baseball league for the Middle East and South Asia, has developed a collaboration with Tokyo Broadcast System (TBS), a leading Japanese broadcaster.
The cooperation will establish a new competition series called “TRYOUT: PLAN D,” which will seek to identify and nurture young Japanese baseball talents for professional play.
“TRYOUT: PLAN D” will showcase hundreds of ambitious athletes competing for two coveted roster places with the Mid East Falcons, one of Baseball United’s founding organisations. The victorious pitcher and hitter will join the Falcons for Baseball United’s first season in Dubai later this year.
The series will air alongside TBS’s acclaimed documentary show, バース・デイ (Birthday), which is known for its engaging storytelling and intimate representation of athletes’ changing experiences over two decades. This collaboration intends to combine reality television with human appeal and competitive activity, providing a unique chance for Japanese possibilities on a global scale.
The tournament is scheduled to begin in July and end in November, shortly before Baseball United’s first season begins on November 14 in Dubai, UAE. Participants will undergo a series of difficult challenges meant to test their baseball abilities, mental fortitude, physical training, and enthusiasm for the game. The two winners will be announced shortly before the season starts.
Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United, said, “Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world. Baseball is engrained into the culture, history, and future of this country. And we know there are a lot of talented players that just need an opportunity to showcase their ability.” He described “TRYOUT” as “more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of culture, a catalyst of opportunity, and a testament of resilience.”
Hidemitsu Takahashi, Producer of バース・デイ from Tokyo Broadcasting System, said, “Our program, バース・デイ, has always sought to showcase the untold stories behind athletic greatness,” said Takahashi. “Partnering with Baseball United for TRYOUT allows us to elevate that mission by offering young Japanese players the opportunity of a lifetime – to transform their lives through sport, and to do so on a truly international platform.”
“TRYOUT” will premiere on TBS linear and digital platforms in July, with unique behind-the-scenes video distributed via Baseball United’s global outlets. The two winning players will be officially unveiled as members of the Mid East Falcons before their game against the Karachi Monarchs on Wednesday, November 19.
