Japan retained their position at the top of the men's baseball world rankings, a position the nation has held since 2014 ©WBSC

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has unveiled its end-of-year softball and baseball world rankings.

In the men’s baseball rankings Japan sit top, a position the country has held since 2014.

The baseball world rankings measure national team performance from under-12 to elite level in competitions sanctioned by the WBSC.

This year’s end-of-year rankings reflect the expiration of all points earned in 2018, as well as the addition of points gathered this year.

Japan are top on 4,179 points, with Chinese Taipei in second on 3,819, as both countries retained their positions from the previous year.

United States moved up two places to third with 3,449, thanks to victories in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 Baseball World Cups.

Japan sit top of the men's end-of-year baseball world rankings, released today by the WBSC ©WBSC
Japan sit top of the men's end-of-year baseball world rankings, released today by the WBSC ©WBSC

South Korea and Mexico both dropped one place in the rankings to fourth and fifth, on 3,428 and 3,273 points respectively.

The women’s baseball world rankings, currently led by Japan, are due to be updated in 2023.

In the men’s softball world rankings, Argentina finished the year top for the first time with 3,722 points, following a fourth-placed finish at the World Cup in New Zealand and a victory at the Under-23 Men’s Softball World Cup qualifier.

Canada finished second in the rankings with 2,954 points, moving up one place following a silver medal at the Men’s Softball World Cup.

Japan dropped down a place to finish third with 2,909 points, with world champions Australia staying in fourth on 2,864.

The United States complete the top five with 2,655 points.

The United States top the women's end-of-year softball world rankings ©WBSC
The United States top the women's end-of-year softball world rankings ©WBSC

In the women’s softball rankings, the United States maintained their top position with 4,288 points after a year that saw them win both the World Games softball competition, held on home soil in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Americas Qualifier for the 2023 Women’s Softball World Cup.

Japan maintained their second placing in the rankings with 2,697 points, but the big movers were Chinese Taipei.

After earning bronze medals at the World Games Chinese Taipei moved up three places in the rankings, to sit on 2,502 points.

Canada are now in fourth place, dropping down one spot, with 2,342 points, while Puerto Rico complete the top five on 2,330 points.