NAGVA: New Rating Rule

Effective June 2008

NAGVA has implemented a new rule in regards to "downplaying". Below is the FAQ.

Playing "Down" a Division No Longer Allowed

Many of you have already emailed questions about the new rule, which prohibits players from playing down a division from their individual rating (i.e. No "A" rated player allowed on a BB Team, etc.). To help answer your questions, we have put together a more detailed explanation of how the rule will be implemented, and how players, teams, and tournaments may be affected.

What happens if I have a new (unrated) player on my team?

NAGVA policy requires that all non-rated players be rated during pool play competition. If one or more non-rated players are rated to a higher level during pool play, the team may* have one of the following options for tournament play:
(1) drop all players that are rated to the higher division and compete in tournament play in the original division registered or
(2) keep roster intact and compete in the division of highest rated player on team.

Are both options noted above always realistic options?

No. If a tournament does not offer a higher division, your team will not be able to utilize the second option and will be required to drop all higher level players (i.e the players who came in non-rated, but are rated above their team's division during pool play). If, after dropping these players from the team roster, a team becomes "incomplete" (fewer than 6 players), that team may acquire a replacement player. As per NAGVA rules, replacement players must have met NAGVA eligibility requirements and be rated at or below the division in which the team is playing in. The replacement player shall be taken from an available player from the host city, with the approval of the host city’s tournament director or, if none available, from a team that has already been eliminated from the tournament.

As a Team Rep, what can I do to avoid having to deal with this at a tournament?

Please carefully evaluate your non-rated players prior to competing! Not doing so guarantees you will face difficult decisions with limited and unfavorable options. In some cases (when no higher division is offered at a Tournament and you're down to 5 or fewer players) YOUR decision to bring a player whose's skill you underestimated could mean forfeiting the rest of the tournament - a costly and frustrating situation for the entire team. As a Tean Rep, you are responsible for many things - one of them is knowing the skill range of all the players you list on your roster. Figuring out your intentions is too subjective - it will be considered "Sand-bagging" whether you intended it to be or not.

Are there any other possible consequences for Sand-bagging?

The NAGVA Player Code of Conduct (Rules & Regulations Section 1.02) requires that all players try their best during training, pool play and competitions and NOT "hold back" in preliminary competition just to get into an easier final competitions division. As stated, the Code of Conduct prohibit "sand-bagging." Members may submit a grievance (Bylaws Article 8.02) against individuals and/or teams deemed to have sand-bagged during a sanctioned tournament and request that the Board of Directors take action against the offense. The NAGVA Board of Directors will use the full authority set forth in the Bylaws and Rules & Regulations to punish individuals and/or teams that are found to be sand-bagging; in some instances punishment was set as a full year suspension from participating, organizing or attending any NAGVA sanctioned event.