PROMOTING PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, INCLUSION, AND FAIR COMPETITION
The WESA SQs - SKILLS QUESTIONS FOR PLAYER ASSESSMENTS
TL/DR: This page contains everything a member needs to know about how the league assesses a players measurable softball skills and how we use the results.
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Important: Every WESA member has a WESA SQ total and an iPride Rating. While the two numbers are typically the same, the iPride Rating includes a Modified Batting Average (MBA) that may come into play for players with a high batting average and affect the rating for tournaments and the Gay Softball World Series. WESA does not use the MBA for league play.
Skills Questions Learning Clinic: TBD Coming Soon
Skills Assessment Field Day: TBD early 2026
"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. " - iPride Softball
Myth:
There is a common misconception about the Skills Assessment Questions - that we are ranking players. We do not rank players.
Truth:
We assess players and the result is a rating - the sum of a series of Yes responses to Skills Questions. A rating provides an independent score for each aspect of skill based on a common scale, while a ranking places players in order relative to one another, with only one player occupying each position.
Tool:
By using the Skills Questions, we have a guide for player development and a tool to maximize fairness and inclusion in our competitive play by grouping like-skilled players together.
Why does WESA use the Skills Questions system?
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).
"Everyone, no matter their skills, belongs in WESA. We’re a vibrant rainbow coalition, so we connect and compete with those whose colors that align most closely with your own." - WESA
Getting it right
In 2025/26, we come to the end of a multi-year process to refine the way we do member skills assessments. We continue to use the iPride Ratings Questions 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 56 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.
Can you consistently do this skill at the level described? Yes or no.
Modified Batting Average
For the purposes of international tournaments including the Gay Softball World Series, your modified batting average may increase your SQ result as it is required by iPride Softball, but not currently required by WESA for league play.
Intangibles and Limitations
We caution that while the WESA Skills Questions 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. That aspect is subjective and comes into play during the draft process as Team Managers build their teams.
One's experience, enthusiasm, spirit, and commitment are not measured by the WESA Skills Questions. Only those aspects that are objectively observable in Batting, Running, Fielding, and Throwing/Pitching.
"Our goal is to keep the league fair and fun for everyone." - WESA
Reviews & Assessments
- All players are reviewed annually by the WESA SQ 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 a 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.
- If you are challenging the Questions for Running and Throwing, you must attend a SQ Field Day where the results of the day will be used.
*Appeals must be sent within the time window announced. After that period, SQs are locked in until the next season (except for corrections by the committee including MBA). The 2025 deadline for appeals is Saturday 12 July at 11am AND the appealing player must attend the 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 SQ 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 skills, 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 SQs to learn more about the player assessment process." - WESA
For more information on SQs, the assessment process, or WESA's SQ policies please contact the League Commissioner at Commissioner (at) WESA.net or the Commission (at) WESA.net.
To view the Skill Questions Guide click HERE for the PDF.
Note: iPride Softball and NAGAAA are the same organization.
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