Youth Sports Registration

Additional Information

1. Registration Rules and Eligibility Requirements

   • Registrations are taken over the phone by calling any of the recreation centers, or by going online.
   • Participants must provide a copy of a birth certificate or proof-of-age document at the time of registration.
   • All participants who are not residents of Saint Paul will be required to pay the non-resident fee.
   • All participants must comply with all other requirements such as age guidelines.
   • Participants may register on the sports team which aligns with their gender identity. Participants who do not identify as male or female may register on the sports team of their choice. Learn more about gender inclusivity in youth sports. 
   • Fee is due at the time of registration.
   • Late registrations may be charged a late fee.
   • Registering for a sport at a center does not guarantee a child will play at that center. When a center does not have enough players to make a team, every effort is made to place players at the closest center with a team. Also, due to limited field space and/or gym space there are times when teams must travel to another site to practice.
   • Call your local recreation center for more information.

2. Fee Assistance

   Fee assistance may be available. Visit the fee assistance page for more information. 

3. Non-Resident Fees

   For information on activity fees for non-residents, view our Non-Resident Fee FAQs.

4. Buddy Request Policy

   Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers the opportunity to play sports with a buddy.

   • Each participant may request one friend as a “buddy”, and buddies must cross-match to be honored. (i.e. Participant 1 indicates Participant 2 as a buddy, AND Participant 2 indicates Participant 1 as their buddy).
   • Siblings are always buddied unless a specific request not to do so is made. When siblings are placed together, no other buddy request is granted. Please make sure to place the sibling's name in the buddy request section during registration.
   • All other requests (e.g. multiple buddies, buddy chains) will not be granted.
   • Two adults may ask to coach together - their children are automatically buddied together and no other buddy request will be considered.
   • If multiple teams are formed, we may need to split the volunteer coaches onto different teams to ensure all teams have a certified coach.
   • Waivers for this rule are not permitted – one of the byproducts of our athletic leagues is meeting new friends.

5. Refunds

   All refunds are subject to a $10 administration charge unless the program is canceled or filled. No refunds granted after the first season game has begun.

6. Registration Dates

   Register online or contact your local recreation center. Late registrations may be accepted if space allows.

   Spring (Register January 1-31)	Volleyball (Ages 7-18) Soccer - Indoor/Futsal (Ages 3-14)
   Summer (Register March 1-31)	T-ball & Machine Pitch (Ages 3-8) Baseball (Ages 9-18) Softball (Ages 9-18) Lacrosse (Ages 7-12)
   Fall (Register June 1-30)	Soccer - Outdoor (Ages 3-14) Flag Football (Ages 7-14) Tackle Football (Ages 8-14)
   Winter (Register September 1-30)	Basketball (ages 3-18)
   See also: Adaptive Athletics (available year-round) and Sailing & Rowing (available in the summer).

7. Early Bird Registration Discounts

   The early bird gets the discount! Register online during one of the first five days registration is open and you automatically receive a discount. The earlier you register, the bigger the discount. So act fast - these discounts are only good for the first five days of each registration period.

   Day 1 = 25% off
   Day 2 = 20% off
   Days 3 - 5 = 10% off

   Example: Register for Basketball on September 1 and get 25% off the program fee. Register for Basketball on September 3 and get 10% off.

8. Policy for Playing on Multiple Teams

   Players participating in the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's youth sports programs may be eligible to play on more than one team in a particular sport if the following guidelines are met:

   • Players may not play on more than one team within the same age group in SPPR leagues.
   • Players may play on more than one SPPR league team if they are in a different age group, and if the person is eligible by age in both. They must also meet the following criteria:
     1. Players may play up one division if there are not enough players in the older division to field a team in that division and those players would not have the opportunity to play without the younger players moving up.
     2. Permission must be granted to a Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Staff and the Parent of the player.
   • A player, in the opinion of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Staff, Coaches, and Parents, has the skills and physical ability to compete in the older division and will not displace a player that is in the appropriate division.
   • If a player plays in more than one age group, they can only play in one age group during the playoff tournament.

9. Volunteer to be a coach

   Volunteer coaches are needed for youth sports. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's youth athletics program would not be where it is today without the support of dedicated volunteers. Volunteer coaches help instruct youth in the fundamentals and skill of sports and instill the principles of fair play, good sportsmanship, respect for one’s self, opponent, and officials. Learn more about becoming a coach.