Petrocelli Says Northridge May Be Fit for Baseball Suit

NORTHRIDGE â€”  Daniel M. Petrocelli, the attorney who represented Fred Goldman in the civil suit against O.J. Simpson, is interested in representing Northridge baseball players and recruits in legal action should the program be eliminated.

Petrocelli, whose son, Adam, is a freshman baseball player at Chatsworth High, has coached youth teams with Phil Horvat, whose son, Eric, is a Matador recruit from Hart High.

“These kids rejected offers all over the country to select Northridge because of the prominence of the program,� Petrocelli said. “Now the rug is pulled out from under them. I can’t imagine anything more unfair.�

Northridge is obligated by NCAA rules to honor for one year the scholarships of players and recruits who signed national letters of intent.

“If they choose to enroll as students, we will honor their scholarships for next year,� said Paul Bubb, Northridge athletic director. “If players want to transfer, we will honor that as well.�

To Petrocelli, the players deserve more.

“They want to play baseball at Northridge,� he said. “Even if they decide to play elsewhere, it’s too late.

“Other schools have committed their funds. These kids are left holding the bag. They are the big losers.�

Petrocelli said before he meets with players, he will review the 1993 court settlement between the 20-school California State University system and the National Organization for Women that is causing schools to accelerate their compliance with gender equity laws.

“Time is very short,� he said. “We’re going to look at what can be done.�