The class project was born out of trip to Mexico six years ago, with a 12-year-old kid from Chandler playing catch on the beach with the son of vendor who didn’t speak English.

For 45 minutes, Ryan Tierney didn’t say a word to the kid, communicating only through gestures, such as a thumbs-up for a good play or a point to the sky to throw the ball high in the air.

The small boy was elated. And athletic.

“It was just incredible to watch,” said Karin Tierney, Ryan’s mom.

Recently, Tierney, a center fielder on Chandler Basha’s baseball team, along with other seniors on the team, played catch with Phoenix Griffith Elementary School sixth- to eighth-graders, who were part of Opportunity For Baseball that helps inner-city kids get involved in the sport.

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The kids ran around in worn-out sneakers, fielding ground balls. They asked questions.

Afterward, the Basha players brought out huge toy chests filled with baseball gear.

Whatever the 25 or so kids wanted — cleats, gloves, helmets, wrist bands — was there for the choosing, thanks to donated items, things collected by the players, half stuffed in former Diamondbacks player Shea Hillenbrand’s car and delivered to Mexico.

“It was like Christmas, Christmas in April,” said Darren Hill, a physical-education teacher at Griffith, where he started the Opportunity For Baseball program.

It was part of a senior class project that all Basha students are required to do for their English class.

During the school year, the senior baseball players wrote essays, set plans and did a presentation that included pictures taken by Hillenbrand during his trip to Mexico giving baseball items to underprivileged children. They compiled statistics, showing how kids who play sports have a tendency to be healthier and stay away from drugs and gangs.

Because the 18-4 team was in the middle of its season, players couldn’t accompany Hillenbrand to Mexico.

But the trip to the Phoenix school was the next best thing.

“It was humbling to see things that clutter our garages put a smile on their faces and make them happy,” Ryan Tierney said.

Along with Tierney, other seniors involved in the project were outfielder Micheal Scott, infielder Tyler Riddle, pitcher/first baseman Casey Legumina, pitcher Johnny Morell, first baseman Corey Stuart, pitcher Jack Schneider, pitcher D.J. Wagner and infielder Jordan Bentivegna.

“The best part about the project was getting to talk to the kids and relate to them and the similar dreams they have as baseball players,” said Schneider, one of three senior pitchers on the staff who have signed with Division I colleges. “It’s very humbling seeing a group of kids look up to you and want to learn from you.

“What I enjoyed the most was talking to the kids about how important school is, as well as the values the game of baseball teaches you on and off the field.”

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This doesn’t surprise Basha coach Jim Schilling, who calls this the closest team he has had.

“In my seven years here, we haven’t had a team as selfless as this,” Schilling said. “Every single kid, even the kids who didn’t do that project, are very team-oriented, selfless. They all do community service. It’s important to them. We’re having one of our best years, and I think that’s the key ingredient.”

Karin Tierney, who gave up her glove to the little boy in Mexico six years ago, said she figured about 100 donated cleats were given out to kids between Mexico and in Phoenix.

The concept was derived six years ago, but the real push came in the past six months with baseball items piling up in the Tierneys’ garage. Hillenbrand was Tierney’s former personal coach and got involved in the project through the player.

“I think the (Basha) boys got more out of it than the kids who received them,” Karin Tierney said. “One of the kids had a huge personality, and said, ‘Are you sure you guys are in high school?’ ”

Pictures were taken with the kids. They laughed. They showed how baseball can bring them closer together and open doors of opportunity.

“You have to do something to help change,” Legumina said of the class project. “Make a difference.”

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They did that day at Griffith.

Hill said his baseball players are looking forward to seeing Basha play in a game. Perhaps in the state playoffs.

“It was a great experience for our children,” Hill said. “They told them about all the work they put in to get to where they are. Our kids needed to hear that. They don’t get that opportunity to see that. To work with them, give them some ground balls, working on fielding and stuff, allowing them to ask questions, our kids don’t get that opportunity.

“Our goal is to see their game. They’ve become special for our guys.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.