Coach Shayla Castaneda

Coach Shay – California Storm

Coach Shay brings a combination of collegiate-level playing experience and nearly a decade of coaching expertise to the California Storm organization. With a strong background in both team coaching and individual instruction, she is deeply committed to helping athletes grow into confident, skilled players on and off the field.

As a player, she competed at the collegiate level for New Mexico Highlands University, following a standout career at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). While at MPC, she played a key role in securing back-to-back conference championships—the program’s first in over 15 years. She was also recognized as a Top 3 pitcher in the state among JUCO programs, showcasing her competitive drive and high-level performance.

Over the past eight years, Coach Shay has served in both assistant and head coaching roles with California Storm, primarily working with 12U–14U athletes, while also contributing across all age levels. She is currently the Head Coach for our High School 14U team .

In addition to team coaching, she has provided individual pitching and hitting instruction to players ages 6yrs to 20yrs,helping athletes fine-tune their fundamentals and build a strong foundation for long-term success.

She is known for her ability to bring out the best in each athlete, tailoring her instruction to meet individual needs and emphasizing the importance of discipline, effort, and accountability. Her training approach combines technical skill development with mental toughness and a strong understanding of the game.

Coaching Philosophy:
“My goal is to teach players to hold themselves to a higher standard and recognize that they are capable of more—both on and off the field. Softball is more than just a game; it’s a vehicle for learning life lessons. I want my players to understand that practice, tournaments, and lessons are privileges—not guarantees. Success comes from effort and accountability. More than anything, I want every athlete I coach to know they have someone in their corner—someone who believes in them and is fully invested in their growth and success.”