The standings will be for the men's slowpitch game as well as men's and women's fastpitch.

Results of the senior national team will be considered, but youth team attendance at European Championships will also be factored in.

That means the system will produce rankings which reflect competition achievement and softball development, it is hoped.

Great Britain currently sit on top of the men's slowpitch rankings, ahead of Czech Republic and Ireland respectively.

The Czechs top the pile in the men's fastpitch, ahead of Denmark and The Netherlands.

They also sit on top of the women's standings with Italy second and Russia third.

Teams which finish first at an event will be given the number of points equal to the number of teams in the European Championships and multiplied by 100.

Ranking points will be more heavily weighted to more prestigious competitions, such as the Senior European Championships.