Get To Know HitStreak Camp Director Cheyenne Simpson
As HitStreak’s Camp Director, Cheyenne Simpson has a passion and love for the game that has allowed her to pursue different playing, coaching, and work opportunities in Colorado and beyond.
A Colorado native, Cheyenne had a standout high school career at Falcon High School in Colorado Springs as a four-year varsity starter and captain and she spent nine years playing travel ball—winning a 2020 State Championship with Arena Fastpitch. As an outfielder and slapper, she then played collegiately at Thomas College in Maine.
After her college career, Cheyenne began coaching at Fossil Ridge High School and teaching hitting, slapping, and pitching lessons. Today, she’s living her dream working for the Colorado Rockies, recently earned her Master’s at Colorado State University, and plans to pursue law school to study sports law. At HitStreak, she designs and implements programs and events for players of all ages and abilities.
We are proud to call Cheyenne part of the HitStreak team and you can learn more about her below…
What inspired you to become a baseball/softball coach?
After graduating from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, I missed playing the game so much. I decided I wanted to get back into the game and start coaching!
How long have you been coaching, and how did you get your start?
I have been coaching for two years now. I got my start by doing one-on-one lessons. From there I coached at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins. I am now doing one on one lessons at HitStreak and coaching one of our competitive teams!
What do you love most about coaching at HitStreak?
My favorite part about coaching at HitStreak is seeing how big the softball community is! I love watching it grow through the lessons, camps, and teams we offer.
What’s your coaching philosophy or approach to helping athletes improve?
My approach to helping athletes improve is making sure they have the basic mechanics down. It is difficult to improve if you do not have a very solid understanding of the basics! From there, it is much easier to build off of when you start getting to more technical skills.
What’s one piece of advice you give your players most often?
The piece of advice I give my players the most is to control the controllable. Softball is a very mental game, and when you let uncontrollable things get to your head, it is difficult to pull yourself out of that negative headspace.
What moment in your coaching career are you most proud of?
The moment of my coaching career I am most proud of was getting my first head coach job at Fossil Ridge High School!
What’s the biggest lesson softball has taught you?
The biggest lesson softball has taught me is that you are in complete control of your attitude and your effort. I was always in my head when it came to softball and it was not until later in my career that I realized I was doing myself no good by sitting with a strikeout for multiple innings. This has translated into my life outside of softball as well. You are not always dealt the best cards, but you can always have a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
If you weren’t coaching, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
If I were not coaching, I would be finding a way to get back into the softball community, whether that be working for a team or working for a place like HitStreak!
How has the game (or how you coach it) changed over the years?
One of the biggest things that has changed since I played is pitching rules. When I was playing, you needed to have both feet on the rubber when you started, and this is no longer a rule (which would've been nice to have when I was pitching).
What’s one skill you think separates good players from great ones?
The one thing that separates good players from great ones is coachability. Players who are willing to take something a coach tells them and implement it into their game will go further than any other player.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at the field or at HitStreak?
When I am not at the field or at HitStreak, I am at a concert or studying to go to law school!
Cheyenne hosts a variety of baseball and softball camps at HitStreak throughout the year — from pitching and hitting to all-around skill sessions and fun Parent/Child camps.
Is there a coach in your life who has had an impact on you?
My high school and competitive coach, Tony Thomas, had the largest impact on me. He taught me how to slap and made me the outfielder I was, which ultimately helped me go to college for softball.
Favorite sports team?
The Los Angeles Dodgers
Favorite player growing up (or now)?
AJ Andrews
Best ballpark food?
Hot dogs
Favorite Denver-area restaurant?
Cinzzetti’s
Favorite Colorado getaway?
Anywhere in Breckenridge
Best concert you’ve ever attended (or one you’d love to see)?
Best concert I have been to was Taylor Swift!
Favorite baseball/softball movie?
A League of Their Own
What kind of impact do you hope to make on your athletes, both on and off the field?
I hope to show my athletes that no matter what, being yourself and keeping a positive attitude will get you far. I want my athletes to be the ones their team looks for when they are in need of energy!
Photos from Cheyenne’s playing career:
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