Steady play has Cuba firmly at #1, Korea surges to 3rd behind strong ‘08

IBAF
January 13, 2009

(LAUSANNE, Switzerland) – For the first time ever, Tuesday, the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) released its World Rankings, with Cuba sitting comfortably at the #1 overall position.

Developed in conjunction with Scott Goode, a sports information director from Harding University (Arkansas, USA), the rankings are based on a point total which IBAF member federations (teams) earn from IBAF-sanctioned events in a four-year window, or a period of time that encompasses two IBAF Baseball World Cups.

“The IBAF is long overdue for World Rankings,” said IBAF President Dr. Harvey Schiller. “The level of competition worldwide grows stronger every year, and we need to begin to recognise the federations that are fielding teams and performing well, whether it is in an intra-continental tournament or a World Cup.”

Asia led all continents with three teams in the top five, headlined by Korea who surged to 3rd place behind a 2008 that saw it take home two IBAF World Championship events – the “AAA” 18U Junior Worlds in Canada and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The United States of America is in 2nd place, and Japan and Chinese Taipei came in at 4th and 5th places, respectively.

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