WBSC secretary general Beng Choo Low has been appointed chairperson of the unit, which will also be responsible for safeguarding, compliance, anti-manipulation of competition, control mechanisms and implementing and adjusting rules, regulations and norms.

Its mission is to "enhance fair play and transparency, protect athletes' rights and promote inclusiveness and further enhance governance", the WBSC said in a statement.

The creation of a dedicated integrity unit sees the WBSC follow the likes of World Athletics and the International Biathlon Union, which are among those to have already established similar bodies.

"I am honoured to be appointed chair of the WBSC Integrity Unit," Choo Low said. 

"I look forward to building on the great progress already made at the WBSC. 

"The Integrity Unit reinforces the WBSC's commitment, as the world governing body of the sport, to good governance and protecting the rights of all athletes and members of the baseball-softball family, as our sport is practiced by approximately 65 million athletes across more than 140 countries and territories."

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said establishing the integrity unit was a "significant step to continue safeguarding the future of baseball and softball and upholding the highest standards of integrity at WBSC".