TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan climbed two spots to third in the World Baseball Softball Confederation's (WBSC) latest men's baseball world rankings released Tuesday (Sept. 3).

Taiwan's recent third-place finish at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup boosted its points tally by 335. With 3,706 points, the nation solidified its position in the top three, per CNA.

The ranking was based on the performance of national teams in international competitions over the past four years. These include world cups and qualifying tournaments.

Some friendly matches are also factored in. Points from the 2019 WBSC Premier12 have been removed.

Both the US and South Korea did not participate in the U-15 Baseball World Cup. This resulted in zero points for the year and a drop in their rankings. 

The US slipped from third to fourth, while South Korea fell from fourth to sixth. Venezuela, which finished eighth in the U-15 World Cup, claimed fifth.

Japan clinched the U-15 World Cup championship, earning 460 points and solidifying its position at the top of the world rankings. Japan currently holds titles in the U-15, U-18, and U-23 world cups, as well as the Women's Baseball World Cup, the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Olympic gold medal, and the Premier12.

The only title missing from Japan's collection of international championships is the U-12 World Cup, which will be held in Tainan next year. Before that, Japan will seek to defend its U-23 world title.