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Austronesia Professional Baseball’s 2031 Hall of Fame ballot didn’t have any impactful debuts with the best newcomer getting 33.8%. Two returners managed to just make it across the 66% threshold with the opening field. On his tenth and final try, SP Bagus Ranga made it in at 73.3%. 3B Nicky Abizar joined him on his fifth ballot at 68.7%. Two others were above 50% with CL Kyle Oliveira at 58.4% on his eighth try and SP Anto Astuti at 52.7% for his third go.



No players were dropped after ten ballots, but SS Chi-Chao Shih was worth a mention after falling off at 5% on his seventh try. He had an impressive trophy case with six Gold Gloves and ten Silver Sluggers, as well as APB titles with Kaohsiung and Surabaya. By many measures, he was the best shortstop of his era. However, it was difficult for hitters generally for APB’s HOF and even tougher for a leadoff guy.

Shih also had three seasons in MLB to dent his tallies. In APB, he played 2210 games with 2207 hits, 826 runs, 290 doubles, 174 triples, 36 home runs, 531 RBI, 211 walks, 1026 stolen bases, .268/.290/.359 slash, 115 wRC+, and 85.7 WAR. The lack of power stats and a very low walk rate tanked his advanced metrics, banishing Chih to the Hall of Pretty Good with a ballot peak of 26.1%. Still, he was worth a mention as one of only ten APB players with 10+ Silver Sluggers as of 2037 and one of two shortstops.



Bagus “Wild Man” Ranga – Starting Pitcher – Batam Blue Raiders – 73.3% Tenth Ballot

Bagus Ranga was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Cepu, Indonesia; a district of around 76,000 within Central Java. Ranga had the nickname “Wild Man” for zany off the field shenanigans, although he was never a troublemaker in the clubhouse. He was known for an outstanding work ethic, although he was also considered a bit dumb and couldn’t be expected to take a leadership role.

On the mound, Ranga was generally graded as above average to good across the board. His fastball peaked in the 96-98 mph range and was part of a five pitch arsenal with a slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter. No one pitch was exceptional, but all five were respectable. Ranga’s stamina was also graded as above average relative to his peers, although his excellent durability meant you’d generally get plenty of innings. His glovework was solid, but Ranga was terrible at holding runners.

Ranga had an impressive amateur career and was one of the highest ranked pitchers entered into the 2000 APB Draft. He was picked fifth overall by Palembang, but couldn’t come to terms with the Panthers and returned for a final year in college. In the 2001 APB Draft, Batam bagged him ninth overall. Ranga was a full-time starter right away for the Blue Raiders, taking third in 2002 Rookie of the Year voting with a 6.4 WAR effort; ultimately the highest single-season WAR of his career.

He spent six years in this initial run with Batam, a team firmly stuck in the lower-to-mid tier by this point. Ranga never had jaw dropping stats, but was consistently above average. He did post his highest strikeout total (301) and highest inning count (281) in 2005. Although Ranga held up his end, the Blue Raiders were generally going nowhere at this point. After the 2007 season, they traded him to Davao for three prospects.

Ranga’s one year with the Devil Rays had a 15-8 record, 2.89 ERA, 209 innings, 204 strikeouts, and 3.8 WAR. Davao was amidst a run of dominance in the Philippine League and had APB’s best record that year at 105-57. They fell in the Taiwan-Philippine Association Championship in an upset to Taoyuan with Ranga struggling in his one start, allowing seven runs (six earned) over four innings. With that, he entered free agency for the first time at age 31.

He managed to earn attention with Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers, signing a three-year, $23,700,000 deal. Ranga had a mixed bag in the Motor City with a 7-2 record and 3.50 ERA, but still -0.2 WAR over 97.2 innings with 59 strikeouts. Detroit was underwhelmed and released Ranga in mid June. He returned to Batam soon after on a three-year, $15,900,000 deal signed on July 6. However, Ranga struggled to a 3.64 ERA over 123.2 innings in his return.

Ranga looked better in 2010 and led the Sundaland Association with 265.1 innings, striking out 286 with 4.3 WAR and a 2.54 ERA. For the second time, Batam traded Ranga in the offseason, this time shipping him to Depok for three prospects. Between runs with the Blue Raiders, Ranga had a 97-99 record, 2.66 ERA, 1974.2 innings, 2007 strikeouts, 455 walks, 96 ERA+, 92 FIP-, and 33.1 WAR. He was appreciated enough though in Batam to eventually see his #14 uniform retired.

His one year with the lackluster Demons was solid with a 16-9 record, 1.90 ERA, 260.1 innings, 280 strikeouts, 131 ERA+, and 4.9 WAR. Ranga also posted eight shutouts, a league and career best. Now 34-years old, Ranga again flashed some potential that made teams interested. Semarang was especially impressed, inking Ranga to a five-year, $31,500,000 deal. Although his longest stint was with Batam, Ranga’s most impactful tenure was with the Sliders.

In 2012, Ranga led the SA with a career-best 0.76 WHIP, posting an 18-8 record, 1.89 ERA, 257.1 innings, 271 strikeouts, and 6.0 WAR. He was a Pitcher of the Year finalist for the first time, taking third. Semarang won the Java Sea League and beat Medan for the Sundaland Association title. The Sliders then knocked off Cebu to claim the Austronesia Championship.

Ranga had a masterful postseason over three starts with 24 innings, 0.75 ERA, 25 strikeouts, two walks, and 0.8 WAR. He was less successful in the Baseball Grand Championship, which Semarang finished 7-12 in. Ranga saw a 7.62 ERA over 28.1 innings with 23 strikeouts. The Sliders would be competitive the next three years, but ceded the Java Sea League crown to Bandung.

In 2014, Ranga was third again in POTY voting, posting a career best 1.59 ERA with a league-best seven shutouts. Over four seasons with Semarang, Ranga had a 66-43 record, 1.97 ERA, 1049.2 innings, 1015 strikeouts, 176 walks, 123 ERA+, 94 FIP-, and 16.7 WAR. He had one year left on his deal, but was traded in January 2016 to Manila for two prospects.

Ranga’s one year with the Manatees was poor, posting a 3-11 record, 3.72 ERA, 75 ERA+, 133 innings, 99 strikeouts, and 0.3 WAR. In mid-July, he suffered a partially torn labrum that ended his season. Ranga hoped to return and found an unexpected home in Mexico on a one-year, $6,200,000 deal with Juarez. He never made the active roster for the Jesters in 2017, finally retiring that winter at age 39.

In APB, Ranga finished with a 197-170 record, 2.46 ERA, 3626.2 innings, 3605 strikeouts, 746 walks, 331/451 quality starts, 146 complete games, 46 shutouts, 104 ERA+, 93 FIP-, and 58.8 WAR. As of 2037, Ranga ranks 34^th in wins, 20^th in innings, 40^th in complete games, 24^th in shutouts, 38^th in strikeouts, but only 86^th in WAR among pitchers.

The advanced and rate stats are a bit underwhelming, suggesting sustained above averageness moreso than truly elite production. Almost all of the previous Hall of Famers in the incredibly low scoring world of Austronesia Professional Baseball had a better ERA and WAR. Even for the very pitcher-friendly voters of APB, Ranga felt pretty borderline.

Ranga’s longevity though got him to some key accumulations. To that point, any APB pitcher with 3500+ strikeouts had eventually made it in. He just missed 200 wins, which most (but not all) making it in if they hit that milestone. Ranga didn’t have the big awards or black ink, but his impressive playoff run in Semarang’s 2012 championship season scored him big points.

He debuted with 57.0% on the 2022 ballot and got to 63.6% the next year, leading most to figure he’d cross the 66% requirement sooner than later. However, Ranga hovered around the upper 40% to mid 50% range for the next few ballots. He got back to 61.1% in 2029, then fell down to 46.2% in 2030. 2031 was Ranga’s tenth and final chance with the benefit of no impressive debutants on the ballot. He received an impressive bump up to 73.3%, becoming the first-ever tenth ballot inductee for APB’s HOF.



Nicky Abizar – Third Base – Pekanbaru Palms – 68.7% Fifth Ballot

Nicky Abizar was a 6’0’’, 200 pound right-handed third baseman from Sukabumi, Indonesia; a city with roughly 365,000 in the West Java province. Abizar was viewed as a very well balanced batter, considered generally good across the board but not incredible at any one thing. His ability to avoid strikeouts was probably his biggest strength, ranking among the lowest whiffers in APB’s Hall of Fame.

For APB’s extremely low scoring environment, Abizar graded as a very efficient batter with a career 175 wRC+. His numbers were especially strong against left-handed pitching (204 wRC+), although he was plenty capable against righties (162 wRC+). His 162 game average got you 28 home runs and 17 doubles. Abizar’s main flaw offensively was abysmal speed and baserunning.

Abizar made the vast majority of his starts at third base, although he graded as a mediocre defender. His durability was generally quite good over an 18-year career, making him a reliable force in the lineup. Abizar didn’t have renowned leadership skills or an incredible work ethic, but he was typically considered a good teammate and became a popular player in his time.

Out of college, Abizar had huge hype and ended up the first pick in the 2003 APB Draft by Pekanbaru. He wasn’t immediately ready though, starting only 55 games in his first two seasons with unremarkable results. The Palms made him a full-time starter in 2006, his first of ten consecutive seasons worth 5+ WAR. 2007 started a nine-year streak of Silver Sluggers as Abizar became the premiere third baseman of the Sundaland Association. After the 2008 season, Pekanbaru gave him an eight-year, $65,100,000 extension.

Still, he wasn’t one to lead the league too often in any stat. 2009 saw Abizar lead in OBP (.377) along with career bests in hits (184), average (.319), and WAR (9.5), placing third in MVP voting. He led with 170 hits in 2011 as well and had 6+ WAR each year from 2009-15 with Pekanbaru. In 2011, Abizar was second in MVP voting and he placed third in 2014. Even if the tallies weren’t incredible, few batters were more efficient in APB as Abizar in his prime.

Pekanbaru had been historically one of APB’s weaker teams, posting only one winning season from 1993-2010. Abizar helped them turn the corner in 2011 with a Malacca League title at 96-66. They upset Surabaya to win their first Sundaland Association pennant since the inaugural 1965 season. The Palms then won their first-ever Austronesia Championship, denying Davao’s three-peat bid.

In the 2011 playoff run, Abizar was surprisingly mediocre with a .535 OPS, 77 wRC+, and -0.1 WAR. He fared much better in the second Baseball Grand Championship with 191 wRC+, .999 OPS, and 1.2 WAR. Pekanbaru finished 11-8, tied for sixth with Chihuahua.

Abizar had posted good big game numbers previously and would again later. He played off and on for his native Indonesia in the World Baseball Championship, most notably helping them to third place in 2008. He was also part of the 2014 runner-up squad as a reserve. From 2007-19, Abizar played 96 games in the WBC with 81 hits, 46 runs, 11 doubles, 20 home runs, 50 RBI, .297/.370/.557 slash, and 3.2 WAR.

Pekanbaru was just above .500 in 2012-13, then returned to the top spot in 2014 with wins over Bandung and Zamboanga en route to the APB Championship. Abizar was finals MVP with a big playoff run over 13 games with .946 OPS, 244 wRC+, 1.0 WAR, 12 hits, 10 runs, 5 homers, and 10 RBI. He posted a .830 OPS, 146 wRC+, and 0.7 WAR in the BGC as the Palms were again competitive, finishing 12-7 in a three-way tie for fourth.

Abizar had cemented his legacy in Pekanbaru by this point in his mid 30s, giving the team its most sustained success. Injuries would limit him in 2015 and they fell just below .500. The Palms were little better in 2016 with Abizar in the final year of his contract at age 35. To the surprise of many, they traded their longtime star in July to Taipei for three prospects, none of which ultimately amounted to much.

With Pekanbaru, Abizar played 1756 games with 1671 hits, 696 runs, 194 doubles, 307 home runs, 889 RBI, 477 walks, .277/.329/.467 slash, 180 wRC+, and 78.1 WAR. The Palms eventually retired his #22 uniform as one of the franchise’s most enduring icons. Meanwhile for Taipei, they hoped Abizar could help them finally get over the hump. The Tigercats had earned six playoff berths and five 100+ win seasons from 2009-15, but had zero pennants to show for it.

The gamble paid off as Abizar had a .913 OPS, 186 wRC+, and 4.4 WAR over 77 games. Taipei finished 103-59 and beat Davao to finally claim the Taiwan-Philippine Association title, although they fell to Semarang in the APB Championship. In the playoff run, Abizar started all 14 games with a .689 OPS, 126 wRC+, and 0.5 WAR.

Abizar was now a free agent for the first time at age 36 and joined the defending champion Sliders on a three-year, $40,500,000 deal. He had his standard solid production in his first two years for Semarang and took MVP honors in the 2017 Sundaland Association Championship in a losing effort against Johor Bahru. Abizar had a 1.006 OPS and 0.5 WAR in six games. The Sliders narrowly missed the playoffs in the next two seasons.

In 2019, a 38-year old Abizar won his tenth and final Silver Slugger with one of the finest years of his career. He led the SA in OBP (.358), OPS (.858), and wRC+ (208). Abizar had 9.3 WAR, the second-highest of his career. He joined Gede Mamuaya as the only 10+ Slugger winners at third base in APB history. The effort made Abizar a hot property for free agency despite his age, leading to a two-year, $26,400,000 deal with Surabaya.

Abizar couldn’t replicate that in 2020 for the Sunbirds and missed a month to a strained hamstring. He was still quite solid with 172 wRC+ and 4.1 WAR in 127 games for Surabaya. In 2021, Semarang brought him back in on a two-year, $17,400,000 deal. Unfortunately, regression finally caught up with Abizar, who struggled to -0.2 WAR and .483 OPS over 114 games and 33 starts.

Between the Semarang stints, Abizar played 577 games with 436 hits, 198 runs, 45 doubles, 87 home runs, 234 RBI, .246/.315/.423 slash, 157 wRC+, and 21.0 WAR. He was let go in 2022 and couldn’t find a new home despite hoping to still play somewhere. Abizar officially retired in the winter of 2022 shortly after his 42^nd birthday.

Abizar finished with 2537 games, 2313 hits, 992 runs, 259 doubles, 22 triples, 438 home runs, 1224 RBI, 707 walks, 1077 strikeouts, .271/.327/.461 slash, 175 wRC+, and 107.7 WAR. As of 2037, Abizar ranks 28^th in games, 43^rd in runs, 28^th in hits, 26^th in total bases (3930), 25^th in homers, 18^th in RBI, 51^st in walks, and 14^th in WAR among position players. Abizar’s .788 OPS is 77^th among batters with 3000+ plate appearances while his triple slash ranks 81^st/60^th/89^th.

That resume seems pretty slam dunk to most observers, but the Hall of Fame voters for Austronesia Professional Baseball are notoriously stingy towards position players. The incredibly low scoring environment leads to naturally lower tallies compared to other leagues, with some voters holding APB batters to accumulation standards better suited for higher-scoring leagues.

Abizar debuted on the 2027 ballot at 51.3%, slowly climbing to 57.7% and 61.7% in the following two years. However, he fell down to 49.7% in 2030, making some wonder if he was on his way to getting snubbed. The 2031 ballot had no slam dunks, allowing Abizar’s resume to stand out more. He just crossed the 66% requirement at 68.7%, earning his deserved spot on the fifth ballot.