When I started playing APA, I told them I was between a 6 and a 7.
They started me as a 4. I played against a 5 and won all 4 games in an average of 1.5 innings per game.
Next week I was a 7. Played against a 7 and lost 3-5 with an average of 2.2 innings per game.
The following week I was a 4 again, beat the snot out of the victim
The following week I was a 6, went hill-hill against a 6 with lots of safety play (some uncalled)
the next week I was a 5,
and on and on,
finally stabilizing at the end of the season as a 6.
Now, had they listened to me at the beginning, I would have just stayed a 6 for the entire season.
On a good night I can beat an average 7, on a poor night I can lose to a good 5.
The trick to keeping your level up is to call all of your safeties (if this is your desire.)
The trick to keeping your level down is the play uncalled safeties (if this is your desire)