Saturday, June 9, 2001

[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]

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Sardinha, 2 others
have deals

Rex Rundgren signs with
Florida and Bryce Uegawachi
with Cleveland; they open camp
next week

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By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Bronson Sardinha and the New York Yankees reached agreement on a contract yesterday,

The Kamehameha graduate and 34th selection in the first-year-player draft Tuesday leaves for Tampa, Fla., early next week where he will sign the contract.

The 6-foot, 190-pound shortstop with a quick bat and good extension will receive a signing bonus. "We agreed on a million dollars," Sardinha said.

Everyone knows the Yankees have one of the best shortstops in the major leagues in Derek Jeter, so plans for Sardinha involve a position switch.

"The first thing they are going to do with me is move me to third base. I have no problem with that," Sardinha said.

"Whatever will help me move the fastest to the big leagues, I'm not going to argue about it. I just have to work hard and learn the position. I'd be fine if they said they were putting me in the outfield. I'm just happy top be playing pro ball." .

A shortstop throughout his career, Sardinha did play a little third base at the Area Code Games. He will start his pro career with Tampa in the Gulf Coast League.

Rex Rundgren, a shortstop from Mid-Pacific Institute, leaves today for Florida's mini-camp, after signing with the Marlins on Thursday. He has been assigned to the Utica Blue Sox in the New York-Penn League.

"I'm pretty excited," said Rundgren, who wasn't able to reach an agreement with the Boston Red Sox after being selected in the 24th round in 1999. He was seeking Top 10 money ($75,000) then.

An 11th round choice of the Marlins, Rundgren said he received a signing bonus and money for two more years of college. The package topped what he asked for in 1999.

This past spring he played for Sacramento City College, where he hit .392 with five doubles, two triples, two homers and 44 runs batted in.

Bryce Uegawachi, a 26th round pick by the Cleveland Indians, signed yesterday and leaves for mini-camp Monday. A shortstop for four years at Hawaii Pacific University, he received a nominal signing bonus.

"I signed for around a $1,000. For me, that's good because I don't have any leverage," said Uegawachi, who prepped at Kaiser High School. "I'll take what I can get. The important thing is getting a chance to play."

Uegawachi has been assigned to Mahoning Valley (Niles, Ohio) in the New York-Penn League.