The new U.S. Little League champions partied until nearly midnight following their 6-1 victory over previously undefeated Vista, Calif., yesterday in South Williamsport, Pa.

From the sound of the West O'ahu team celebration, it was tough to know if the coach and players were more excited about being the first national champions from Hawai'i since 1988, or the prospect of being the best in the world after today.

"It's kinda nuts, man," said West O'ahu coach Layton Aliviado, who said he wasn't sure what to make of his team being suddenly thrust into the limelight.

As for yesterday's game, Aliviado said the bottom of the fourth inning was the turning point, when Sheyne Baniaga drove in a run. By the time the inning was over, West Oahu was ahead 4-0.

But the play that gave him the most relief came in the top of the fifth when pitcher Vonn Fe'ao prevailed against Vista power hitter Kalen Pimentel, who had smashed two grand slams during the tourney.

With the bases loaded and the score 4-1, Pimentel was in position to do it again. That's when Fe'ao threw a ball that Pimentel popped to short, resulting in a double play that retired the side.

"That was the play of the game," said Aliviado. "That did it. That took everything out of them. If he'd have hit another grand slam, it would have put them up, and it would have been a whole new ball game.

"That kid was real anxious to hit the ball, so I gave the sign to give a low and outside pitch, and he swung at it and he ended up getting under it."

Fe'ao admitted he was apprehensive when Pimentel stepped up to the plate, and relieved when he popped out.

"I threw him a fastball," said Fe'ao, who said that pitch was more important to him than the two-run homer he blasted in the bottom of the fifth inning.

"Right now we're getting ready to rest for the big game tomorrow," he said. "We just have to play our regular game and we'll be all right."

Baniaga said it felt good to be famous.

But then he added, "I feel a little nervous about it, though."

Nervous, possibly because of the nickname for which he has become the focus of some of that fame.

The moniker "Bubbles" has caused him some mild embarrassment. Reporters learned of it after Thursday's win over Lafayette, La., when Aliviado said "Bubbles" was ready to pitch Saturday if needed.

When asked how he got that nickname, Sheyne mumbled into a water bottle: "Because my mom said I have a bubble butt."

"We had no idea it would stick," said his mom, Denise "Poke" Quiday. "But now everyone knows him by that."

Across Hawai'i yesterday, people gathered in front of television sets in homes, restaurants and watering holes to cheer on the team from Leeward O'ahu.

"It's the topic of the day, no doubt about it," said Jonathan Schwalbenitz, bartender at Murphy's Bar and Grill downtown, where patrons gathered in front of the screen whenever the highlights came on. "They were clapping, cheering, asking where they could watch the next game. People are excited."

At the Mililani home of Mark and Teresa Milton, about two dozen fans gathered around two large-screen monitors.

Mark Milton kept an amazing commentary going throughout the game that eclipsed that of ABC's Brent Musburger.

"This is why I Iike to watch sports with Mark," said Miki Bridgeman, longtime friend of the family. "He knows how to call 'em. He's incredible. He's better than the TV."

Still, Bridgeman had to shush Milton in mid-commentary when ABC's reporter in the stands, Sam Ryan, introduced Baniaga's parents, who Ryan said were there through the generosity of friends in Hawai'i who paid the couple's way when they found out that Johnny Baniaga and Quiday wouldn't have been able to go otherwise.

Ryan finished the segment without mentioning who the friends were, and Milton was right back to making game commentary without saying a word about the fact that the friends were he and Teresa.

About 30 family and friends of Baniaga met at his grandparents' home in Waipahu to watch the game. The first person from Hawai'i to speak with Baniaga after the victory was his 19-year-old sister, Shenise.

"I call him every night," she said. "He asked if I saw his hit. He said he was very happy and excited and that they're ready for the next game."

She said the family would be stationed around the television again today.

People all over the Islands would be planning their own schedules accordingly.