MPRB is putting a double-team on safety, with new game-site modifications and explicit expectations for players, coaches, and fans.
By Jim Meyer
It’s a sad commentary that unruliness at youth sports events — particularly spectator conduct — is a growing concern, from the pee-wee level up to high school and beyond. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is going on offense to make the 2026 season trouble-free with many new guidelines for all involved.
Foul behavior is definitely not isolated to Minneapolis. Earlier this month, a high school varsity match featuring Tartan (Oakdale) at Hopkins was suspended in the 3rd quarter due to mayhem. A few days later, a 36-team invitational tourney was called off just days before tipoff due to safety concerns. MPRB is learning from a few incidents of its own last season, instituting new standards for player comportment, bench/coach conduct, and chilling out in the cheering sections. They’ve even dropped some small sites such as Logan Park and Nokomis in favor of larger gyms with more `breathing room’ along the courtsides.
Starting this season, a new Code of Conduct will be read to the coaches and players standing before the crowd. It’s another strong gesture, in addition to the already present banners seen in all MPRB gyms that instruct about best behavior. That means there’s now zero tolerance for unruly rooters who claim they `didn’t know.’ Refs can even call a game off if extreme danger lurks.
There are new restrictions for only two adults / coaches on the team bench, and this year they must have their official ID badge and be named in that game’s scorebook. Not even the team scorekeeper is allowed on the bench unless they’re also coach #2.
But this year’s biggest shift is that an MPRB-trained (and paid) scorekeeper will be part of a 3-person crew, not some willing volunteer (usually from park staff). There will be two refs on the floor and one courtside on the book to prevent heated disputes, especially on time-outs remaining and control of the possession arrow (alternating ball control after `jump ball’ tie-ups). As a prospective ref myself, I’m impressed with MPRB’s financial dedication to a scorekeeper. They have an important Job #1 but can also be two more eyes on the court or the crowd. That frees a park staffer for better customer service and site-control response if needed.
During pre-season training sessions for new and returning referees it was clarified that game officials – not park staff — are actually the ones in charge, but refs should quickly delegate to other supports when needed. Teamwork is important among players, but also between refs, staff, coaches, helpful fans, and even park police on alert nearby should need arise.
Frank White, a longtime youth sports teacher and a Minnesota State High School League referee advisor, was the instructor at my certification session in the old Central High gym. He was emphatic that refs do not – DO NOT – engage with spectators. If concerned, they should quickly call in park staff. Refs are not to physically break up a crowd fight in progress. Instead, all involved should be on watch for any unfortunate bad energy and stop trouble before it starts. Last year, Pearl Park was among rec centers that issued `yellow-card’ cautions to crowd members of concern.
White also taught some important mechanics to help the referee partnerships work the game with precision and safety. He stressed that one official has on-ball coverage if play is in their area. Meanwhile, the partner should resist watching the dribble and keep a focus for a foul away from play, or some push-and-shove that could escalate into something bigger later. White plans to circle through game sites as able this season, not as a harsh grader, but to note good style and offer pointers in the following week. He and MPRB staff are available all season long for questions on fine points and standards.
Does my striped shirt still fit?
So maybe I picked a good year to rejoin the MPRB officials pool after 15 years away (back when I paid for my nursing diploma with reffing money). MPRB assigning has become more self-directed online which suits me just fine. Each ref must send a post-game report to get paid, but also to note any bad — or even good – occurrences. It’s one more step in making this park league season a winner.
Are you interested in making a little money for light workouts this winter? Ensuring a little civility in our community? Helping out kids while you do it? Trainings have concluded for new officials, but qualified veterans are welcome to contact MPRB assigner Jim Rask to express interest and tune in about new house rules such as the updated concussion protocol.
Basketball reffing is actually easier than it looks. Though it’s a high-speed game, it’s not as much running as it may seem because partners split the court in half rather than sprint end to end. But there is a lot of intricate game management because basketball has more stops and starts and substitutions than more seamless sports like baseball or hockey. Fans accustomed to TV replay reviews that measure down to a half-inch may have high standards for “perfection” if they lose sight that park and rec is not the NBA (where many `rules’ are made to be broken anyway).
It’s not always the kids’ fault when tempers flare. Parents are aware there is big money in college sports now that players can make money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Maybe parents and coaches need reminding that good conduct and professionalism by young players are also elements of marketability and favor by potential sponsors or employers.
Yes, it’s only a game, but even a Saturday park league match-up could be the highlight of a youngster’s week. MPRB urges us all to play nice, respect our various important roles, and team up to make each game memorable for the right reasons. Adult refs with a little knowledge, patience, and composure can inspire impressionable kids while helping keep the peace in our communities. This year, the ones in the black-and-white uniforms could be the star of the game even if they never score a basket but make the more important points.
For more information on game management or to express your interest in officiating in any season, contact James Rask, Officials Assigner for Adult and Youth Sports at jrask@minneapolisparks.org, office line 612-230-6493. Informal advice from the author — a former year-round ref – is available at meyerforhire@yahoo.com .
MPRB is also running intensive Referee-in-Training (RIT) camps for kids 13-17 to prepare them for future paid assignments in the parks, or to join local ref associations where demand is always high. Contact McRae Park for the next RIT Camp on December 29 (10 am – 5 pm) and 30 (10am – 1pm). (One opening left. Fees apply, with discounts available. Activity detail | MPRB Online Recreation Services).
I have been a soccer referee for a few years and expect to do so moving forward. Association kids games all the way up to High School and Adult levels. It is startling how poor the behavior of coaches, parents and players can be sometimes. I have seen horrific behavior, not always but can happen at any time. High School Varsity coaches are most often the worst. My “Sweet spot” lately has been (1) Religious schools and (2) 12 and under kids games. These have a significantly lower angry attendee factor
Steveb
You are right on so many levels. We’re probably old enough to remember when our parents signed us up for every park season, maybe as much to get us out of the house. Now parents are in attendance with a purpose, and probably a phone cam running. Basketball seems to have gotten quite a bit more physical than I remember, and yes, the NBA may not be a great model; offensive fouls/charging is almost never called so the play is out of balance. It’s faster than it may have been, and players can `travel the world’ without a violation call. On a local level, there is so much more media attention to prep sports. Our state’s major paper seems to have gone all in on covering HS athletics, seemingly to the detriment of the hard news to which we are — or once were — accustomed. These are all unfortunate negative factors in their own way. There have been laudable movements to simplify and de-stress youth sports, but it seems they are the underdogs in the current climate.
It used to be the coaches and parents who instilled the sense of fair play and following the rules. These days the kids see things on TV that gives them a different view of their favorite sport and their favorite players. Professionals who may not always behave professionally.
I believe these are good moves by the MPRB. I hope they have a successful 2026.