DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, has announced that former Major League Baseball first baseman Ryan Howard has joined its investment and ownership group. Howard is one of the most decorated players in Philadelphia Phillies history, winning Rookie of the Year in 2005, MVP in 2006, and a World Series in 2008.Howard was selected to three All-Star games, led MLB in home runs twice, and earned the Hank Aaron Award as the top hitter in the National League. Howard is part of MLB’s 50 home run club (hitting 58 in 2006), and he reached the 100 home run and 200 home run milestones faster than any player in baseball history. “It’s truly an honor to welcome Ryan into our Baseball United ownership group,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and majority owner of Baseball United. “Ryan was one of the most feared power hitters of his generation, setting several records and eclipsing many milestones along the way. And off the field, he has been one of the game’s most intelligent and articulate ambassadors. He has also had a strong track record of business success. Now, we get to bring all those passions and skills together as we work to grow the game of baseball in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.” Baseball United’s Dubai-based league launches this fall with a showcase event from Nov. 10-12 hosted at Dubai International Stadium. The showcase will include the league’s first four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Dubai Wolves, and Abu Dhabi Falcons. Each franchise was the first professional franchise in their respective country or city. In addition to his ownership stake in Baseball United, Howard will also play an ambassador role helping to promote the league, its teams and players. He will also be in Dubai for the showcase. “I am truly honored to join the Baseball United family as both an owner and an active advocate for growing the game we all love,” said Howard. “It’s been incredible seeing what Kash, John and the BU owners and leaders have been able to accomplish in such a short time. We all know there is still a lot of work to do, but we believe we have all the right ingredients in place to go make history. I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.” The inaugural Baseball United draft will take place on Sept. 19 in Cincinnati, Ohio.