Wonder Years

Five years can be the blink of an eye. It can also span an entire adolescence.

For the 1994 national champion Northridge Little League team, it is both.

It seems like yesterday the precocious band of ballplayers dubbed the Earthquake Kids captured everyone’s imagination while major leaguers were on strike, advancing through four tournaments and playing Venezuela for the Little League World Series championship on network television.

Actually, it was long enough ago that several of them graduated high school in June. Their parents, who probably feel like they just finished paying the bills amassed traipsing to Williamsport, Pa., are facing empty-nest syndrome.

Even the Northridge earthquake that spawned the team’s nickname seems like ancient history.

But once a year, the players and coaches find themselves recalling a time of uncommon innocence and achievement that culminated in parades, talk-show appearances, limousine rides and an audience with the first lady.

Today at 1:30 p.m. PDT, the Little League World Series championship between Phenix City, Ala., and Hirakata, Japan, will be televised on ABC. The stands will be overflowing, the sponsors will be effusive, the announcers will be gushing.

The event has evolved into a ritual slice of Americana, not quite the Super Bowl, but something close enough for 11- and 12-year-old boys.

And the Earthquake Kids will set aside their teen routine of cars, girlfriends and college plans to again marvel at a spectacle they helped foster.

“It’s so incredible to imagine that I was there,” said Nathaniel Dunlap, who as a 5-foot-11 Northridge pitcher threw 75 mph at age 12.

“Before we went, it was such a dream to go to Williamsport. It seemed impossible. Now when I watch it on TV, it gives me a special feeling inside.”

Because Northridge lost the championship game to Maracaibo, Venezuela, 4-3, in a game marred by a long rain delay, the memories are bittersweet for some.

Matt Fisher, the Northridge shortstop, has newspaper articles framed alongside his medals and Northridge cap. Yet he is wistful this time of year.

“It’s really hard for me to watch,” Fisher said. “I know that what we did was a great feat, but the last game is still so hard to deal with. I wish I was 12 again so we could do it over.”

Not that Fisher or his former teammates are has-beens. This summer Fisher, one of the top college prospects in the region, played for Chatsworth in the American Legion World Series.

All 15 Northridge players went on to play varsity baseball in high school and Manager Larry Baca and Coach George Saul both coach for a high school team.

They are spread out, peppering the rosters at Chaminade, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Notre Dame, Alemany, North Hollywood, Campbell Hall, even Green Valley, Nev. But everyone wore a uniform in 1999.

“Baseball was fun then and I think it’s more fun now,” said Matt Cunningham, the Northridge catcher who will be a senior at Notre Dame High.

“It’s more of a strength and speed game in high school. In Little League you can get by with sound fundamentals and a lot of confidence. It’s pretty amazing that every guy kept improving and kept playing in high school.”

Most gratifying to Baca and Saul is their former charges continue to enjoy the game.

“They maintained that love of baseball,” Saul said. “They’ve carried it with them and it will always be there.”

Said Baca: “Our kids seemed to have the game in perspective. They’d experienced that whole mess with the earthquake, so even when we lost, they made sure and had a good time.

“They’ve kept in contact and are always happy to see one another. We had an unbelievable experience together and they’ll appreciate it even more as they get older.”