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Although South Asia Baseball had seen very top-heavy results on the diamond, the fan response had been excellent since its formation in 1980. Officials felt the time for expansion was coming up, even if some of the teams were still having some financial woes. Expanding markets likely would bring in more cash and four new teams were approved starting with the 2004 season, putting both leagues at 14 teams.



The Indian League added the Nagpur Patriots to the South Division and the Lucknow Larks to the Central Division. That put both divisions at five teams, while the West Division kept its original four teams. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asia League’s additions made for two divisions with seven teams each. The South Division added the Vietnam-based Da Nang Nailers, while the North Division introduced the Bangladeshi Khulna Claws. This gave both Vietnam and Bangladesh three teams, the most of any country within SEAL.



For the first time since 1993, Ahmedabad didn’t have the best record in the Indian League. That honor went to defending champ Bengaluru at 106-56, earning a third consecutive South Division title. The Animals still made the postseason field, extending their playoff streak to 20 years. They joined EBF’s Zurich and EPB’s Minsk as the only teams in any world league to post a two-decade postseason streak. Ahmedabad’s West Division title streak grew to 16 seasons, but it was the closest they’d come to surrendering the crown in that stretch.

The Animals took it at 95-67, while Mumbai was one back at 94-68. The Meteors earned a fourth wild card in a row, topping Chennai by four games. Jaipur took a weak Central Division at 83-79 for their seventh playoff appearance in nine years. Kanpur was two behind and reigning division champ Delhi was four back.

Hyderabad was just above .500, but their first baseman Janesvara Aryasva repeated as Indian League MVP in his third season. He led in RBI (108), total bases (339), triple slash (.335/.416/.630), OPS (1.046), wRC+ (220), and WAR (9.1). His power was down noticeably from his 61 home runs the prior year, only smacking 35. He would stay three more years with the Hippos before starting his more famous run from 2008-2015 with Yangon.

In a quiet year for Pitcher of the Year options, Mumbai’s Jagisa Myska took it. The 26-year old righty led in wins (19-3), ERA (1.55), and quality starts (26). He added 230 strikeouts in 209 innings and 5.2 WAR. Myska’s poor stamina would lead to him being moved to the bullpen the next season, where he won Reliever of the Year. He would have a forgettable run in the following decade though. In other reliever news, Surat’s Taj Kanikaraja became a three-time Reliever of the Year winner.

In the first round of the playoffs, Jaipur shocked Ahmedabad 3-1. This would be the first time since 1985 that the Animals weren’t in the Indian League Championship Series. The Jokers earned their fourth ILCS in five ears. Bengaluru bested Mumbai 3-1 to continue their repeat hopes. The Blazers battered Jaipur in a sweep to repeat and earn a fourth Indian League pennant (1982, 85, 03, 04). The Jokers remain snake-bitten, sitting 0-9 in their ILCS appearances.



While Ahmedabad’s dynasty had finally cracked, Ho Chi Minh City’s was very much alive in the Southeast Asia League. The defending SEAL champs were 122-40 atop the South Division, topping the 120+ mark for the third time in their 18-year playoff odyssey. Their division title streak grew to 13 years. This Hedgehog squad matched their own SEAL record of only 428 runs allowed, which still remains the top mark. HCMC also set a new WHIP record at 0.945. Their 2.53 ERA and 411 earned runs were both second-best in SEAL history behind the 1993 campaign, while the 1008 hits allowed was third fewest. These marks all hold those same spots as of 2037.

Yangon’s playoff streak grew to ten years with their eighth North Division title in that stretch. The Green Dragons were 105-57, 19 games better than closest foe Hanoi. The Hounds were seven games away from the second wild card. The first spot was a stunner as expansion Da Nang debuted at 98-64. The only other expansion team to earn a playoff spot in its debut was CABA’s Suriname last year. Phnom Penh grabbed the second spot at 93-69, ending a four-year stretch without a playoff appearance or winning record. The Pandas turnaround was impressive, having won 68, 66, 69, and 71 games in their most recent efforts.

Yangon 3B Jatinder Chowdhary won the SEAL MVP as the 24-year old Indian led in runs (129), triple slash (.355/.468/.755), OPS (1.223), wRC+ (227), and WAR (12.5). He added 53 home runs and 127 RBI. The Green Dragons had wisely locked him up to an eight-year, $17,960,000 deal after the 2002 season. He managed to fend off HCMC’s Tirtha Upadhyaya for the top honor despite the latter’s 68 home runs and 158 RBI. That set the SAB RBI record, which would get obliterated four years later. It was also six short of Dhuna Itar’s record 74 homers in 2000.

HCMC’s Sikander Harija won his second Pitcher of the Year, having also taken it back in 2000. The 32-year old Indian lefty led in ERA (2.04), WHIP (0.81), complete games (14), shutouts (6), FIP- (55), and WAR (9.0). Harija added a 22-4 record and 303 strikeouts in 233.1 innings. Also of note, Sabuj Nath became a three-time Reliever of the Year winner, posting a 5.8 WAR effort for the expansion Da Nang squad.

Ho Chi Minh City swept Phnom Penh in the first round to give the Hedgehogs an 11^th straight SEAL Championship appearance. The upstart Da Nang upset Yangon 3-1, earning an LCS in the debut season. The Nailers gave the Hedgehogs a spirited effort, but the dynasty ultimately continued. HCMC won the series in six games to repeat as SEAL champs and earn a 12^th pennant.



Ho Chi Minh City battered Bengaluru with a sweep to repeat as South Asia Baseball champs. This was their fourth overall title, joining the 1997, 2000, and 2003 campaigns. It was also the second-most wins ever by a SAB champ behind 1995 Ahmedabad’s 124-38 effort. RF Kamlesh Kanmani was finals MVP, making 13 playoff starts with 19 hits, 5 runs, 6 doubles, 3 home runs, and 10 RBI.



Although HCMC had been firmly a SEAL dynasty, they were now finally shining as SAB’s top team after being denied so many times by Ahmedabad. Having gone 240-84 in the prior year, they matched the 1994-95 Animals for the world record most wins by a team that won back-to-back titles. The best two-year run in any world league was WAB’s Kano at 248-76 from 1999-00, but they had lost the 2000 championship.

Other notes: HCMC also had a record-setting postseason by reliever Nikeyparee Basnet. Over 17.1 playoff innings, he set SAB records for H/9 (1.56), opponent batting average (.057), and opponent slugging (.113). Basnet won SEALCS MVP, an incredibly rare feat for a reliever. He had a 0.52 ERA, 3-0 record, 4 saves, and 25 strikeouts in nine playoff appearances.

SAB’s eighth perfect game came on July 7 from Da Nang’s Raja Ahmad Saari, who struck out nine against Mandalay. Reliever Saroth Bora became the first to reach 400 career saves. He would pitch until 2010 and retire with 499, holding the all-time mark until finally passed in the late 2020s.

Tirtha Upadhyaya became the second member of the 600 home run club. He still had work to reach Amoda Shah, who retired the leader at 729 after the 2005 season. Upadhyaya also won his tenth Silver Slugger and his first as a designated hitter. Van Loi Phung became the third to 1500 runs scored, retiring third at 1505.

3B Manju Abbas won his 15^th and final Gold Glove. Abbas is one of a very select few at any position in any world league to win 15. He joined MLB’s Christopher Sollinger and Dusty Knight as the only 15-time winners at third base specifically. Abbas would retire with 3395 games and 3288 starts at third; more than anyone in world history. P Tanvir Hosen and C Quoc Pham won their seventh Gold Gloves. SS Dhruv Sanjay won his seventh Silver Slugger.