Several times a year, the WBSC (World Baseball Federation) publishes the world rankings of national teams. In 2021, the Olympic Games added to other competitions, helping some nations climb the ladder.
For us French, this ranking isn’t important as we’re far down the standings. In Europe, baseball is on the rise, and nations like England, Sweden, and Hungary are claiming their spot. Imagine, the English are nipping at our heels at 23rd place, while we French hold onto 22nd.
In women’s baseball, we’re holding steady at 16th place, having reached 12th back in 2014. The year 2022 looks more promising with the national team competing in several tournaments.
As for softball, 2021 was a good year for both women and men, and our world rankings improved (18th for women and 23rd for men). In two years, the French women’s softball team climbed from 26th to 18th place.
Points gained by France in 2021 against various national teams in baseball
It’s important to understand that all competitions serve the national team. Indeed, junior competitions (23U, 18U, 15U, 12U, and 9U) contribute to earning points. It’s not just the senior team’s results. And it’s thanks to these junior competitors that we’re maintaining or improving our rankings in 2021.
Globally, the Japanese, thanks to the Olympics, are taking the top spots nearly everywhere. The Americans are close in softball but not in baseball. Asian dominance in world baseball is established, and it won’t be the disastrous business model of the American MLB that will change that this year.
Didier Cannioux
