Looking to the Future

Catcher Dane Sardinha is ready to take his game to the next level.

Who would turn down three-quarters of a million dollars for three-quarters of a Pepperdine education?

     Pepperdine junior Dane Sardinha did.

     Sardinha, who was drafted out of high school by the Kansas City Royals as the second pick in the second round of the June 1997 draft, says Pepperdine was worth the $750,000 signing bonus he turned down to become the Waves catcher.

     Sardinha, of Kahuku, Hawaii, has enjoyed success at Pepperdine and at the end of this season he becomes eligible to be selected in this year's draft, with many people projecting him as a first-round pick.

     Still, the question is, was Pepperdine really worth the $750,000 the physical education major turned down?

     "I think it was worth it for him," junior pitcher Jay Adams said. "He's learned a lot. It's been worth it for him hitting-wise. He's a lot better than he was coming in. I think he'll get drafted higher."

     Pepperdine head coach Frank Sanchez also believes it was the right move. 

     "Just the experience has helped him mature," Sanchez said. "He's a hitter that's constantly improving and he's learning how to make adjustments."

     Although there is much talk about the draft and signing, Sardinha isn't looking that far ahead. 

     "There's a possibility I might stay," he said. "It all boils down to how I do this year. I can't expect too much. Out of high school I heard first round too, but I was taken in the second."

     Sanchez, who has been Sardinha's coach all three years, believes his catcher will probably be an early draft selection.

     "Whether he's drafted in the second, first or fifth round, it's what he's earned," Sanchez said. "We don't really talk about it. A good way to confuse a young player, and create undue pressure, is to discuss it all the time. He knows how he has to play."

     Sanchez doesn't want to focus on the June draft either.

     "Dane's concern is for the team and how we play," Sanchez said. "If he plays well, the team plays well and if the team plays well, then the team goes far and he gets more attention."

     Sardinha, who will probably leave Pepperdine at the top or near it in many career batting categories - including homeruns and doubles - is focused on helping the team do well.

     "(Statistics and records) aren't big to me," said Sardinha, who moved into No. 1 in career homeruns after hitting two against St. Mary's in mid-March. "It's good to have good stats, but I'd rather have a shot at the regionals and then Omaha."

     Omaha, where the NCAA Tournament is held, is Pepperdine's ultimate goal and with Sardinha leading the way, it is a possibility the Waves will make it.

     Last year, Sardinha set a single-season record with 26 doubles and blasted 15 homeruns, second on the team only to senior G.J. Raymundo's 16.

     The Waves climbed to No. 3 in the nation at one point in the season and ended up losing in regionals to USC.

     This season, Sardinha, who has been tabbed a first team preseason All-American by both Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, is hitting .350 with eight homeruns and 34 RBIs as of March 19, and expects to lead his team farther into the postseason play.

     "What we did last year gave us experience," he said, "But more so, it gave us the idea that we have the chance to make it far this year."

     To many people in the Pepperdine organization, the Hawaii native, who proudly bares two tattoos that show pride in his island heritage, is more than just a great player.

     "He's a great guy," Sanchez said. "Not only is he a special talent, but he's a special person, and I consider myself deeply blessed to be able to work with a person of his makeup. I'm the lucky one to have known him."

     If Sardinha is drafted, his comparison to top Major League catchers, such as the Texas Rangers' Ivan Rodriguez, is what will propel him to the major leagues.

     "Defensively, he could definitely be in the major leagues right now," described senior Damon Katz, who is one of Sardinha's closest friends on the team.

     "He adds intangibles," Sanchez said. "He can block the ball, catch the ball and throw some runners out. But our guys want to pitch to him. They appreciate how he works for them, so they want to work for him."

     Sardinha has been Adams' catcher since the pitcher came to Pepperdine.

     "To me, it's a lot easier pitching to him, because he frames the ball really well," said Adams, who joined Sardinha as a third-team All-American last season. "If I throw a pitch three or four inches off the plate, he'll get it called for a strike."

     Sardinha, who is considered a leader on the team, loves playing for his teammates as well.

     "I think I lead by example," he said. "I don't change too much on the field. My intensity gets higher but I try to stay calm and relaxed so I'll play better. If I do sign (a professional contract), I think I'll miss hanging out with the guys (on the team) the most."

     Assistant coach Rick Hirtensteiner, who played for Pepperdine from 1986 to 1989, knows what Sardinha is going through and believes Sardinha has handled the situation well.

     "It's amazing how he's handled it - being a projected first-round pick," said Hirtensteiner, who was drafted in the eighth round by the California Angels in 1989. "He's the most humble guy on the team. He's very quiet and keeps to himself."

     Sanchez, who was an assistant coach at USC before coming to Pepperdine, has seen many players get drafted and doesn't compare Sardinha to them but admits that the catcher has great focus.

     "His energy and focus and the way he plays is about our team and our season," Sanchez said. "Some marquee players I've coached before just focus on June.

     "There's a number of guys that have the potential (to make it to the majors), but it's a hard thing to do. You have to be at the right place at the right time, get the right breaks and stay healthy."

     Sardinha has no idea where he may go, but he has heard that teams such as the Braves, Brewers and Rockies are interested in him. But he says he "just wants to play" and it doesn't matter where.

     "If you love the game so much, then it shouldn't matter which team you're on."

     Sanchez says all that matters is which clubs are interested in him, how he does this season and that he continues to strengthen his skills.

     "I've improved hitting- wise because I've gotten so many plate appearances," Sardinha said. "I've learned how to work with different pitchers on a staff that has different attitudes. (Sanchez) has probably taught me more of the detail part of the game, knowing situations and how to pitch to batters."

     That experience and a solid season's end will determine where Sardinha will go in the draft. Last year, three Pepperdine players were drafted. Jay Gehrke was selected by the Royals as a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, signing for $1.25 million.

     Raymundo also was chosen by the Royals in the 13th round, and senior Brad Tucker was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 17th round.

     Sardinha could be looking at a signing bonus similar to Gehrke's or more, but will that make up for his three years lost at the professional level?

     Come June, he'll find out if his three years at Pepperdine were worth it.