Northridge Kids Find Hope After Earthquake

Twelve-year-old Spencer Gordon woke up during a sleepover on January 17, 1994, to a loud boom that shook his Northridge home. It was the Northridge earthquake, a moment he describes as ‘deafening.’ He remembers Jared, his friend, being tossed across the room and how terrified they both were as the ground shook.

When the shaking stopped, Spencer’s dad had to break down the door to get them out. They found their room littered with broken glass and debris from kitchen cabinets. Without power and water for six days, they faced a lot of damage, and the swimming pool was half empty.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel Dunlap, who was in Riverside for a baseball tournament, woke up to the earthquake’s effects but couldn’t reach his father back home. After a day-long drive through collapsed overpasses, he returned to see his house was damaged but still standing. His family ended up camping in the backyard for weeks until they figured out their home’s condition.

David Teraoka also felt the impact of the quake. With no power or running water, his family heated water from their pool to make instant ramen. He recalls how everything was closed, making life feel far from normal for a long time.

As time passed, Teraoka found comfort in returning to baseball practice, which felt refreshing and helped him cope. Coach Larry Baca noticed how happy the kids were once they returned to the field, providing a sense of calm amidst the chaos of their lives.

Despite the earthquake’s aftermath, the Northridge Little League team went on a magical run to the Little League World Series that summer, becoming known as the ‘Earthquake Kids.’ Their confidence grew as they practiced, with all players believing they had something special.

After a strong start, they faced a tough loss against Brooklyn Central. Gordon felt crushed but was encouraged by Coach Baca to shake it off and keep playing. Soon after, he hit a three-run homer in the U.S. championship game against Springfield, inspiring the team to victory.

The pressure was on when they pitched a near-perfect game, winning against Springfield, which led them to the World Series title match. Although they lost to Maracaibo, Venezuela, they returned home to a hero’s welcome. Their community embraced them and celebrated their achievements following the devastating earthquake.

The Northridge kids created lasting memories, connecting over their love for baseball while navigating through the challenges of recovery. Despite the tough times, they brought joy and unity to their community, reminding everyone of the resilience that comes from collective hope.