NQ - NAGAAA Player SKILLS ASSESSMENT Questions
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NQ SKILLS ASSESSMENT CLINIC is Saturday 12 July at 12-1pm at NW Junction/Pumpjack Diamond. You must submit your protest to Commission (at) WESA.net before 11am that day to be assessed.
"These questions are intended to be used as a tool to assist those responsible for rating players so ratings may be fair and consistent across all levels of play and across all leagues. "
As a competitive sports league, it becomes necessary for WESA to group similar skilled players as a way to best ensure a positive and safe experience for all. Virtually every sports league across North America divides players based on their skills to provide a safe, fun, and competitive experience. In order to achieve this in WESA, the league has set maximum skill levels for each division of play using an objective system created and maintained by International Pride Softball (iPride Softball) /NAGAAA (North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance). - Also see the Season Orientation page.
"Everyone, regardless of NQ, has a place in WESA. We are a rainbow coalition and you should play with and against the colours that most closely match your colours."
Getting it right
In 2025, we come to the end of a multi-year process to refine the way we do member skills assessments. We continue to use the NAGAAA Ratings Questions (NQs) for benchmarking but have a more unified approach to maximize accuracy, safety, and fairness in our divisional play. Before this update, player assessments were done by each team with limited oversight, but the results were often inconsistent and sometimes inaccurate. We believe one of the most important ways to keep things accurate is to avoid trying to factor in a player’s ‘intangibles’ or personal value. The key is to answer the questions clearly and objectively—without emotion or bias—to get the most accurate results.
In previous years, while we reviewed everyone, the focus for complete assessments has been on members who travel to outside of town tournament play. For the first time, the Committee is doing its work knowing that these player skills assessments will be used in 2026 to group players into WESA divisional play. Therefore, the bar has been raised on how thoroughly we review each member’s skills. We are very grateful for the time and knowledge that the volunteers on the NQ Committee bring to the table. It’s a demanding job.
Start with the Process, Not the Number
It’s natural to focus on the final number of a player’s rating. But that’s actually the last step in the process—not the first.
As mentioned above, WESA uses a system based on a list of yes/no questions—the same one used by over 50 cities in International Pride Softball (aka NAGAAA). These questions assess specific, measurable skills like throwing, hitting, fielding, and running.
Your NQ rating is simply the number of questions answered “Yes” to—based on observed performance.
That’s it. No fancy formulas. Just: Can you consistently do this skill at the level described? Yes or no.
Intangibles
We caution that while NQs are widely used and offer the best objective means of skills assessment and grouping like-skilled players, they do not measure intangibles and do not offer a complete means of measuring the value one player brings to a team compared to another. But that aspect is subjective and comes into play during the draft process as Team Managers build their teams.
"Our goal is to keep the league safe, fair, and fun for everyone."
Reviews & Assessments
- All players are reviewed annually by the WESA NQ Committee, with input from team managers.
- New players receive a full assessment.
- Returning player’s skills are also reviewed and may have certain questions reassessed if necessary.
- Players are watched over multiple games to ensure fair evaluations—not just one good or bad performance.
Each skill has a benchmark. For example:
If a Question says, “Can the player do BLANK, 60% of the time?”—you need to meet that 60% threshold consistently to get a “Yes.” 
If You Disagree With Your Assessment: The Appeals Process
If you believe a mistake was made, you can appeal after results are shared with the league during the appeals window. Here’s how:
- Email commission@wesa.net
- Include your full name.
- List the specific questions you’re appealing.
- Share why you believe the assessment is incorrect.
- You must attend the NQ Skills Assessment Clinic in full and be ready to play, run, hit, throw
*Appeals must be sent within the time window announced. After that period, NQs are locked in until the next season. The 2025 deadline for appeals is Saturday 12 July at 11am AND the appealing player must attend the NQ Skills Assessment Clinic at 12pm that day at NW.
Note: In special situations like major injuries or fitness changes, a follow-up review may be allowed.
Who Reviews the Assessments?
The NQ Committee is made up of experienced volunteers who watch games and take detailed notes. They work hard to keep things fair and consistent.
Transparency
Have questions? Reach out any time at commission@wesa.net.
You can also view the documentation and guidelines the committee uses.
Safety Equipment
As always, players are expected to use protective gear to be and feel safe when choosing to play softball. Items such as face masks, cups, shin guards, cleats, and helmets are all recommended.
Everyone, regardless of NQ, has a place in WESA. We are a rainbow coalition and you should play with and against the colours that most closely match your colours.
"We encourage members who want to know more about the NQs to learn more about the player assessment process."
Myth: The league Ranks players. This is False.
The league does not Rank players. The league conducts skills assessments using the NQs. The NQs do not measure a player's intangibles and Team Management's strategy - all things that make up how players would be ranked by an individual Coaching Team when approaching the player draft.
For more information on NQs, the assessment process, or WESA's NQ policies please contact the League Commissioner at Commissioner (at) WESA.net or the Commission (at) WESA.net.
To view the NAGAAA Questions (NQ) Ratings Guide click HERE for the PDF.
Note: iPride Softball and NAGAAA are the same organization.
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