CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield’s Travis Peitz (George Washington) was named the 2026 Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year Award is given to the Appalachian League player who made the most notable contributions to his community during the season through active participation in community service projects. Peitz joins Kenneth Jackson (Tri-State, 2025), Tyree Jackson (Kingsport, 2024), Kenny Mallory Jr. (Burlington, 2023) and Parker Redden (Bluefield, 2022) as Humanitarian of the Year honorees.
“I feel extremely blessed and grateful to be the Humanitarian of the Year,” Peitz said. “If I couldn’t win the award, or there was no award, I feel like I would still be doing the same thing. Just to have an impact on the people of Bluefield. Honestly, it didn’t feel like service at all. It felt like a good time, and I enjoyed it every step of the way.”
Peitz, 19, participated in seven different charity events this summer, totalling more than 14 hours of community service during his time as a Bluefield Ridge Runner. He bowled with local children at Mountaineer Bowling Lanes, packed and served meals at Union Mission, assisted in instruction and recreation at the Wade Center, volunteered at the Lotitto Park 250th Anniversary Parade, was a group leader during the Ridge Runners’ Kids Camp, stocked shelves and unloaded trucks at Sacred Heart Food Pantry, and assisted with the Bluefield Rail Birds ABO (Alternative Baseball) clinic.
“Travis was an absolute joy to be around this summer,” Ridge Runners general manager Garrett Schilling said. “He truly embodies what a servant leader is supposed to be, and what it means to be a baseball player. The people of Bluefield will always remember how Travis made them feel.”
In addition to the volunteer hours Peitz committed, he made a profound impact on those around him through his positive attitude and magnetizing personality. He was the first to volunteer when a new event was presented to the team, and naturally took the lead in group activities. Peitz could be found making connections with Bluefield fans at every opportunity, including while discussing his walk-up song after games, which became a fan favorite and stadium rallying cry.
“Just the thought of having an impact on people six hours away from my hometown is crazy to me,” Peitz added. “Being able to have that community so far away from home, being able to have an impact on people like that? It means the world.”
The Perry Hall, Md., native played 34 games for Bluefield this summer, leading the team in at-bats (125), RBI (27), and doubles (10). He was top-five in runs scored (29), hits (33), OBP (.408) and OPS (.800), making a consistent impact on and off the field for the Ridge Runners. Peitz is returning to George Washington University this fall, where he started 26 games last spring.
“This is well-earned. This is something we strive for every year in Bluefield,” Schilling said. “We’re extremely proud of how Travis represented the Appalachian League and the Bluefield Ridge Runners – what we stand for as an organization – and we could not be happier for Travis to receive this recognition.”
About the Appalachian League
Founded in 1911, the Appalachian League is one of the longest-running baseball leagues in history. The Appy League is the only collegiate summer league under MLB and USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline (“PDP”) and is an integral part of the identification and development process for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Teams and other future National teams.
For more information about the Appalachian League, visit appyleague.com or follow @appyleague and @appyleaguedata on X, and @appyleague on Instagram.
