"Bubba Starling's professional baseball career would have gotten off to a better start if Major League Baseball would set an earlier deadline to sign players than Aug. 15.

That's the word from Royals Hall of Famer George Brett, who was happy to see Starling sign with the Royals but is sorry Starling squandered a season of development.

"I wish they would change the rules a little bit and make the deadline July 4," Brett said before participating in an exhibition Tuesday at the Nationwide golf tournament at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lions-Gate. "These kids are going to get the same amount of money.

"If they made the deadline July 4, these guys would sign July 4 and the guy would jump on the plane and play some real baseball rather than go to Arizona when the season is almost over after not picking up a ball and a bat for how long … and playing football … he's not baseball ready. It's going to take him a while."

Starling, who had a scholarship offer to play football and baseball at Nebraska, participated in the Cornhuskers' summer program before returning home last weekend and agreeing to a contract with the Royals at the 11 p.m. Monday deadline. Royals officials said that Starling could have had the same deal on the day after the draft.

"I'm happy he signed with the Royals, I'm happy the Royals drafted him," Brett emphasized. "I just wish it wouldn't have taken as long. Both sides negotiated in good faith, but I wish the deadline was a little sooner. You knew he was going to sign …

"I heard it was 40 seconds, 20 seconds to go and they finally agreed to do it.""