TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has maintained its No. 2 spot in the latest World Baseball Softball Confederation men’s baseball rankings released Thursday.

Japan remains firmly in first place with 6,843 points, while Taiwan follows with 5,147, per CNA. Despite recent point deductions, Taiwan’s consistent performance — bolstered by its Premier12 victory last year — has kept it ahead of a tightening field, per Liberty Times.

Taiwan rose to No. 2 in late 2023 after its Premier12 championship win earned a record-breaking 1,380 points, the highest single gain since the WBSC rankings began. At that time, Taiwan had narrowed the gap with Japan to just over 1,300 points.

The US jumped two spots to take third with 4,591 points, while South Korea climbed two places to fourth with 4,283. Mexico, previously third, dropped to fifth with 3,926.

Rounding out the top 12 are Venezuela (3,885), Puerto Rico (3,081), the Netherlands (3,040), Panama (2,801), the Dominican Republic (2,511), Australia (2,446), and Cuba (2,308).