Growing Gains

The last of the red-hot Northridge Little Leaguers of 1994 is nearing the end of his high school career, closing another chapter in the memorable story of the so-called “Earthquake Kids.�

For some, it seems like only yesterday Gregg Wallis was a fuzzy-faced, 11-year-old infielder for the Northridge team that won a national championship, shook hands with former presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, and basked in accolades while a bitter nation endured a lengthy baseball strike.

For Wallis, a senior second baseman for Chatsworth High, it seems like nearly half a lifetime ago--which it was.

“In years, it’s not that long a time,� Wallis said. “But in age period--from 11 to 18--it’s kind of a big time of growing and changing. It seems like it’s been a long time.

“I barely remember most of that experience. I just remember thinking that we were out there having fun winning. That’s all we thought about.�

Time flies like a baseball off an aluminum bat.

Yet, for Wallis, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Top-seeded Chatsworth (29-2) will play No. 4-seeded Banning (22-11) in a City Championship semifinal today at Birmingham.

The winner advances to the title game Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Once again, Wallis, who leads the Chancellors with a .452 batting average, is concerned only with winning a championship. After graduation, he’ll focus on the future and starting anew at UC Irvine.

“I don’t think I’ve been asked about that since my freshman year,� Wallis said of the Northridge Little League team.

“That was kind of the year a lot of the [Northridge] guys were starting [in high school].�

As a sophomore in 1999, Wallis played sparingly for Chatsworth’s City championship team, which included former Northridge teammates Matt Cassel, a quarterback at USC, and Matt Fisher, who plays baseball for Oklahoma.

The former Northridge players are scattered among college teams, including Matt Cunningham (Rice), Michael Frost (Trinity) and Nate Dunlap (South Dakota).

Wallis is the final member playing in high school.

Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn shakes his head when confronting the thought.

“I remember watching them on TV--Fisher, Cassel and those guys--and it seems like only yesterday,� Meusborn said.

“But now, [Wallis] is a senior and leaving and the other guys are gone. Let’s hope they can do that again and we can get a few more of those guys.�

Wallis’ contribution to Chatsworth has been immeasurable, especially this season.

He leads the team with 10 doubles, three triples and 10 stolen bases while anchoring a solid infield.

“He’s always believed in his ability,� Meusborn said. “His confidence was very high when he came here.

“Even as a sophomore, he thought he could play.�

The youngest starter for the Northridge Little League team, Wallis has quickly matured on the field.

He expects to challenge for a starting job at Irvine, which will restart its baseball program next season and participate in the Big West Conference.

“[Little League] was special, but it’s a lot more serious now,� Wallis said.