LOS ANGELES – Friday was a day of waiting for the University of Maine baseball team.

The Black Bears maintained a low profile in and around their downtown hotel most of the day as they waited for their 7 p.m. NCAA Regional first-round game against Cal State Northridge at the University of Southern California’s Dedeaux Field.

“They’re just kind of waiting, hanging out, lying low,” said UMaine coach Paul Kostacopoulos. “You’ve got to wait, wait, wait, and it can be frustrating, all day long, just thinking about [playing]. But we’re ready to go.”

The weather, a concern all spring for UMaine and most other teams in the Northeast because of cold, was steamy Friday in L.A. Temperatures were in the upper 70s, as compared to blistering readings in the 100s not far inland.

One concern was the humidity, to which the Bears haven’t been exposed regularly. It was something with which UMaine righthander Mike MacDonald of Camden would have to deal in the most important start of his life against the 16th-ranked Matadors.

The Bears had two practices prior to game day. They worked out at the Cal State Los Angeles campus after their arrival Wednesday evening, which Kostacopoulos said helped the team wind down and get to bed later, thus acclimating the players to the time change.

UMaine then got its first look at 2,000-seat Dedeaux Field during a 90-minute practice session Thursday afternoon.

West Coast hospitality

UMaine and the other three teams playing in the Los Angeles Regional – Southern California, Cal State Northridge and Brigham Young – gathered Thursday evening for a pretournament banquet at USC.

The event was held in the Galen Athletic Center, a cafeteria-type building used by USC athletics. The Bears situated themselves in booths around the perimeter of the room, while the other teams sat mostly at tables in the center.

Those in attendance were treated to a delicious meal of beef, lemon pepper chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, grilled squash, and cookies. The players spent most of the time watching the Atlanta Braves-Montreal Expos game, which was broadcast over numerous television screens that hung from the ceiling throughout the room.

The informal event was brought to a close with a few comments by USC coach Mike Gillespie, who welcomed the teams to the Regional and jokingly encouraged them to have some fun.

“Your coaches would like you to know that there’s no curfew tonight and you’re free to explore downtown L.A.,” Gillespie said, mentioning there were some choice night spots the USC players would be glad to show the visitors.

The Galen Center is located adjacent to USC’s Heritage Hall, which is a small museum where all the Trojans’ major athletic awards and memorabilia are on display.

A handful of UMaine players marveled at the assortment of hardware, which included O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy.

Jam time

One of the inescapable aspects of Southern California life to which the UMaine contingent was treated is the automobile traffic.

The freeways surrounding Los Angeles are a swarming stream of cars and trucks, which are lined up for miles heading into and out of the city. While the Bears’ hotel is located only two or three miles from Dedeaux Field, the trip can take 20-30 minutes depending upon the traffic.

Those staying with UMaine were warned about a further traffic complication Friday afternoon, when the defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers were scheduled to play Sacramento in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals.

The Lakers’ home, the Staples Center, located only five blocks down Figueroa Street from the team hotel, is on the route to the ballpark. Parents, media, and friends were told to leave early for the game to avoid the incoming surge of fans.

Air Black Bear

UMaine had the longest journey of any team competing in this weekend’s NCAA Regionals.

There are 2,714 miles, as the crow flies, between Orono and Los Angeles. That trip is 823 miles longer than the nearest challenger, as Washington made a 1,891-mile jaunt from Seattle to Houston.

Drapeau joins 3-60 club

Bears junior third baseman Joe Drapeau has joined some elite company this season with his continued batting prowess.

Drapeau has collected 71 hits on the season, the most for a UMaine player since Brian Poire racked up 76 during the 1999 season.

He has now registered 60 hits in three consecutive seasons, the first Bear to accomplish that feat since Mark Sweeney from 1989-91. Drapeau needs one more hit to reach 200 for his career.

We are the champions

The Los Angeles Regional, one of 16 four-team events in the NCAA Tournament, is the only one this season that has four schools that all won their conference championships.

UMaine won America East, USC claimed the PAC-10, Cal State Northridge emerged from the Big West, and Brigham Young annexed the Mountain West title.