WBSC reveals updated baseball and softball world rankings

WBSC reveals updated baseball and softball world rankings
02/01/2023
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has released the new world rankings for men's baseball as well as women's and men's softball based on 2019-2022 results

In regards to baseball, there was no significant change in the top two rankings: Japan (4179 points) has led since 2014 with Chinese Taipei (3819 points) in second place. USA (3449 points) climbed up the ladder two positions to reach the lowest step of the podium and outshine fourth-ranked South Korea (3428 points) and fifth-ranked Mexico (3273 points). Sixth-ranked Venezuela (2723 points), seventh-ranked Kingdom of the Netherlands (2468 points) and eighth-ranked Cuba (2246 points) advanced over ninth-ranked Dominican Republic (1894 points). Australia (1889 points) rounded up the top ten list.

11th-ranked Colombia (1669 points) eclipsed 12th-ranked Panama (1529 points) with fast-rising Puerto Rico (1419 points) gaining three positions to rank 13th, while declining Canada (1404 points) drops to 14th and Czech Republic (1309 points) falters to 15th. Team Italy (1206 points) rose one position to rank 16th and overtake the two-step drop by Nicaragua (1117 points) to rank 17th. The Italians currently rank third best in Europe and remain ahead of Germany, Spain, Israel, France and Great Britain (ranked 18th to 22nd respectively). Significant leaps forward included: Austria by four positions to rank 26th, Guam and China jumping up nine positions to 29th and 30th respectively as well as Curaçao blasting up 11 places to 33rd.

MEN'S BASEBALL WORLD RANKINGS

In women's softball, top-ranked USA (4288 points) overshadowed second-ranked Japan (2697 points). Chinese Taipei (2502 points) rose to third place after climbing three positions over fourth-ranked Canada (2343 points) fifth-ranked Puerto Rico (2330 points) and sixth-ranked Mexico (1927 points), Czech Republic (1789 points) moved up four places to rank seventh (1789) and passed up the one-step decline from eighth-ranked Team Italy (1776 points). Ninth-ranked Australia (1529 points) and 10th-ranked Kingdom of the Netherlands (1498 points) rounded out the top 10.

11th-ranked Spain climbed six positions, while 12th-ranked Israel darted up eight postions. With China dropping down the ladder four steps to number 13, 14th-ranked France moved up four postions and 15th-ranked Germany bolted up six positions. Great Britain slipped four positions to number 16, while Ireland crept up two positions to become ranked 17th. Other notable jumps included: 19th-ranked Peru (up three positions), 20th-ranked Poland (up six positions) and 21st-ranked Greece (up 10 positions).

WOMEN'S SOFTBALL WORLD RANKINGS

In men's softball, Argentina (3722 points) has a sizable advantage over second-ranked Canada (2954 points). Japan (2909 points) dropped to third place, while Australia (2864 points) stayed put at fourth (2864). Fifth-ranked USA (2655) rose two places to overtake sixth-ranked Czech Republic (2221 points) and seventh-ranked New Zealand (1934 points).

MEN'S SOFTBALL WORLD RANKINGS

Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti