ARHS Student Wins MLB Grant to Support Local Youth Baseball

Source: Amherst Regional Public Schools

When Amherst Regional Middle School student Oscar Reich began his 8th-grade Civic Action Project, he had no idea it would lead him to Major League Baseball — but that’s exactly what happened.

Now entering 10th grade at Amherst Regional High School, Oscar has earned recognition not just for his hard work in the classroom but for his leadership and impact in the community. As part of the annual Civic Action Project at ARMS, students are tasked with identifying an issue they care about and taking real-world steps to address it. 

A lifelong fan and active player in Amherst Baseball’s youth leagues, Oscar saw an opportunity to improve training opportunities for his peers. With persistence and initiative, he applied for a grant from the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. His successful proposal secured $1,870 worth of equipment, including a pitching machine and five dozen baseballs. The grant was fulfilled by Pitch In For Baseball and Softball, a national nonprofit and official equipment partner of the MLB Foundation.

Oscar’s commitment to the project extended well beyond the school year. With support from his parents, he refined his proposal and submitted the application over the summer. Within just three days of submission, he received the news.

“I found it fun,” Oscar said. “It felt like I was doing something that actually mattered in the world. Many times in classes, you do things for your own benefit, but when this idea came to mind, I was doing it for my baseball team.”

The new equipment has already been put to good use, with players of all ages benefiting from the pitching machine and supplies. His efforts exemplify the goals of the Civic Action Project, a cornerstone of the ARMS 8th-grade civics curriculum designed to help students become engaged citizens through research, advocacy, and community impact.

“Oscar’s project reflects the very best of what student-centered learning can achieve,” said Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, Superintendent of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts. “Through his civic action project, this student saw a need in his community, took initiative, and secured a grant to support his community. I am incredibly proud of the leadership and determination he demonstrated, and I know his work will have a lasting impact.”