šGuide: Getting Started with Elbow Up
The ultimate community and guide for youth baseball parents and coaches.
Welcome to Elbow Up! ā¾
This guide is your road map to your youth baseball experience via Elbow Up. Donāt worry about figuring this out all at once. Just commit to learning a little each week.
Iāve seen (and done) the good, bad, and the ugly, and Iām just here to help!
- Kevin
First, letās take care of some housekeeping. If you havenāt done so alreadyā¦
āļø Sign up for weekly emails and podcasts.
āļø Join our Facebook group!
āļø Like/Follow Elbow Up on Facebook.
āļø Follow Elbow Up on Twitter.
š Get an Elbow Up T-Shirt or Hat!
Who is Kevin Burke?
Iām Kevin Burke, andĀ Iāve made all the mistakes!
On one hand, Iām just another youth baseball coach and parent like you. On the other, Iāve got a little experience in both.
Iāve coached youth baseball for 18 years (5 year olds through high school varsity).
I have an 18 year old that I coached and now coach my 9 year old.
My brother was a first round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 2006 after signing with then number one ranked Vanderbilt University, and I had a front row seat to that entire process (and I taught him everything he knows š).
Iāve attended and coached thousands of baseball games.
Iāve seen (and still see) the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Publishing Schedule
**updated for 2022**
Iāve tried to stick to several schedules over the past couple of years, and I just canāt make it work. I make zero money from Elbow Up and I have a real job that pays the bills.
Publishing content takes a lot of work, and Iām just going to commit to doing the best I can moving forward to produce as much content as possible.
Where to Start
If youāre new to Elbow Up or youth baseball parenting and coaching, hereās what Iād read or listen to, and in this order:
š Gut Check: Whatās Your Baseball Goal?
š§ My Oldest Son Turns 18 Today: What I Would Have Done Differently
š Your Actions Show Whatās Really Important
š§ Mike Steele Coaches Cleveland Indians and Son's Youth Team, Talks State of Youth Baseball - Part 1
Whatās Next?
Iām going to continue to build out this guide, but hereās a few things to consider in the meantimeā¦
The Future of Elbow Up
This entire project started as a hobby. Iāve always enjoyed writing and baseball, and after a few viral articles, I ventured into the podcast arena and have seen really good traction.
I never thought weād be getting 30,000+ downloads per episode, but here we are!
Iāve struggled a little with finding the right publishing cadence - one that is appealing to YOU and that is manageable for me.
Iām continuously looking to make things better and provide more value to as many parents and coaches as possible. If you have suggestions, be sure to let me know how I can help!
Visit the Full Archives
Now, while I continue to build out this Getting Started guide, check out the full archive and catch up on all the past articles and episodes.
Spread the Word
And most importantly right now, spread the word! Tell everyone you know about Elbow Up so we can continue to make a difference for our kids in the world of youth baseball!