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Coaching Mission

Our mission is to help young athletes develop the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to succeed in softball and in life.

At Cherry Creek Charm, we believe youth sports should do more than teach mechanics. Our program focuses on helping players grow as competitors, teammates, and leaders.

We work to create an environment where players:

• Learn strong softball fundamentals
• Build confidence through preparation and effort
• Develop resilience when facing challenges
• Support and encourage their teammates
• Take pride in improving every day

Our goal is simple: help every player leave the field better than when they arrived — both as an athlete and as a person.

Our team

Meet the awesome folks who make all of this possible day to day

Coach Payne

Coach Payne

Head Coach
Program Director

Rickey Payne founded the Cherry Creek Charm program to help young athletes develop confidence, leadership, and a love for competition.

He has coached youth sports for 5 years across multiple sports, working with more than 150 young athletes, and has spent over 15 years mentoring youth in leadership, mindset, and personal development.

Rickey’s coaching approach focuses on developing the whole athlete — both on and off the field.

Coaching Focus

• Teaching players how to compete with confidence
• Developing strong softball fundamentals
• Building emotional awareness and resilience
• Helping players learn leadership and teamwork
• Teaching athletes how to practice with discipline and attention to detail

Rickey believes youth sports should help players grow not only as athletes, but also as confident teammates, leaders, and competitors.

His goal is for every player in the Charm program to leave the field more confident, more capable, and excited to keep improving.
coach mel-1

Coach Mel

Assistant Coach
Hitting & Slap Hitting Specialist
Mel Garcia brings collegiate playing experience and a passion for helping young athletes build confidence at the plate.

She played at Dominican University of California, where she served as a Team Captain, and now focuses on helping players develop strong offensive skills and game awareness.

Playing Experience
• Dominican University of California
• Team Captain

Coaching Specialties
• Left-handed slap hitting
• Hitting mechanics and approach
• Offensive confidence and timing
• Fielding fundamentals

Coaching Philosophy
Mel focuses on helping players understand both the mental and physical sides of softball. She works with athletes to build:
• Confidence through preparation
• Self-awareness at the plate
• The ability to compete under pressure
• A mindset that embraces challenges and growth

Her goal is for every player she coaches to leave the field feeling more confident and empowered than when they arrived.

Coaching Philosophy

Our coaching philosophy is built around three core principles.

1) Development First

At the 10U level, the focus should be on learning the game the right way.

We prioritize fundamentals, game awareness, and building confidence so players develop skills that will help them succeed at higher levels of softball.

2) Compete With Confidence

Players are encouraged to step into challenges and trust their preparation.

We teach athletes how to compete with focus, handle pressure, and bounce back quickly from mistakes — all essential skills for long-term success in the game.

3) Growth Through Discipline

Improvement comes from practicing with purpose.

Players learn how to:
• Pay attention to details
• Stay focused during drills
• give consistent effort
• develop habits that lead to improvement

By learning how to practice with discipline and intention, players gain tools they can use both on the field and in life.

What Players Learn in the Charm Program

Our goal is to help players develop skills that extend beyond softball.

Players in the Charm program learn how to:
• Compete with confidence
• Handle mistakes and bounce back quickly
• Communicate and support teammates
• Practice with focus and discipline
• Take pride in effort and preparation

These lessons help players grow not only as athletes but also as confident young leaders.

Player Development Focus

Throughout the season, players work on key areas of the game, including:

Offense
• Hitting mechanics
• Slap hitting development
• Situational hitting
• Base running awareness

Defense
• Footwork and fielding fundamentals
• Throwing mechanics
• Defensive positioning
• Communication on the field

Game IQ
• Understanding game situations
• Decision making under pressure
• Reading plays as they develop

Mental Game
• Confidence and composure
• Learning from mistakes
• Competing with resilience

Our Commitment to Players

Our coaching staff is committed to creating an environment where players:
• Feel safe and supported
• Are encouraged to try new things
• Learn from mistakes
• Grow in confidence and skill

We believe youth sports should be a place where players love coming to practice and leave feeling proud of their effort.

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