NQ Guidelines

NQ - NAGAAA Player ASSESSMENT Questions

Note: To view the NAGAAA Questions (NQ) Ratings Guide click HERE for the PDF.  

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."

This system uses a set of skill-based questions to determine eligibility to play in one of their five divisions (A through E) at the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) annually and throughout the year in city tournaments around North America.  IPride Softball/NAGAAA refers to these questions as one's "Player Rating".  WESA refers to these questions as "NAGAAA Questions" or “NQs”. 

Objective Approach
While WESA's focus is also on member experience, we use a player's NQ as an objective way to place players in the most appropriate division of play.  We caution that while NQs are widely used, they offer only a partial glimpse into the most readily quantifiable individual skills and do not offer a complete means of measuring the value one player brings to a team compared to another.   The league also considers Softball IQ, Attitude, and Experience important measures when grouping players into divisions.

Enhancements to the Skills Assessment Process
For the 2023/2024 Seasons, the league worked to improve the process by which we assess members NQs.  All WESA members' NQs are now assessed annually by the WESA NQ Committee.   This has brought a more consistent approach to the process and improved accuracy.

When reviewing the NQs each year the NQ Committee prioritizes 1) new players who did not have a rating, 2) prospective players for the GSWS and travelling teams, and 3) members that were flagged by the NQ committe to receive a reassessment.  In 2024, some adjustments were made for consistency of approach later in the year to end the two-year enhancement process. The Commission believes that we have achieved a high-level of fairness and accuracy.  We will continue to improve the process to achieve a high degree of accuracy.

Transparency & Appeals
NQ results are available to all WESA members.
WESA has an appeals process for members who disagree with their NQ assessment.  WESA members will be emailed details on appeal procedures and deadlines each year prior finishing the league process  and prior to the dates of submission to iPride Softball.  Questions about NQs and appeals can be directed to the League Commissioner at commissioner (at) wesa.net.

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.  

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Note: iPride Softball and NAGAAA are the same organization.