Curt Smith and Billy Cather have dreamed since they were kids of playing professional baseball.

They shared that dream for the last three seasons playing for coach Steve Trimper at the University of Maine.

Friday afternoon, after years of hard work refining their skills, both young men were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Cather, who has one year of eligibility remaining at Maine, was taken in the 33rd round by the Washington Nationals and Smith, who has completed his eligibility, was chosen in the 39th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cather, of Worcester, Mass., had just reported Friday to Cape Cod, where he is scheduled to being practice today with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he received a call from the Nationals.

“It’s exciting,” said the soft-spoken UMaine standout, who was the 991st pick overall.

“I was in contact with them [the Nationals] for a long time,” he said. “In two or three days I’ll have to sit down with them.”

Cather, a speedy center fielder with excellent range, is coming off another solid season for the Black Bears. The 6-foot, 182-pounder batted .328 with four home runs and 25 runs batted. He hit seven doubles, scored 35 runs and stole 15 bases in 19 attempts.

“It’s a good honor for him,” Trimper said. “We kind of knew he was going to get drafted.”

Cather was able to share the news with his father, John, in person.

“As excited as I am, I’m sure he’s 10 times more excited than I’ll ever be,” said Billy Cather, who explained he and his parents will weigh the Nationals’ offer against the benefits of returning to UMaine.

“I really want to get school finished. That will weigh heavily on my decision,” said Cather, who also knows this might be his best shot to go pro. “We have a lot more leverage this year. Even if I have a great year next year, who knows whether they’ll come back [and draft him] again.”

Smith, who is from Willemstad, Curacao, breathed a huge sigh of relief when he finally got the call Friday evening.

“I can’t even explain how it feels,” Smith said. “[The Houston Astros] told me I was supposed to go between the 15th and 20th rounds. When it got to the 30th, I started to get nervous.”

Instead, it was the Cardinals who made Smith the 1,175th pick. Trimper also has three former Manhattan College players in the St. Louis system.

“My mom was crying. I couldn’t even talk to her,” said Smith, who admitted he had barely slept in two days.

Smith, the America East Player of the Year, was one of the most feared hitters in the region during four seasons at UMaine. The rugged infielder also has good speed.

The 5-10, 208-pounder, who played mostly first base in 2008, batted a league-best .403 with 11 homer and 37 RBIs. He scored 60 runs, stroked 17 doubles, and stole 12 bases in 14 tries.

Smith, who could have signed out of high school, is glad he went to college.

“I have my education and I still have the opportunity to play professional now,” he said.

UMaine’s captain boasted a .722 slugging percentage and a .498 on-base percentage.

“The kid just needs an opportunity,” Trimper said. “Curt, to me, is a guy who’s going to hit at every level.”

While Smith hasn’t found a permanent positional home, he has a strong arm and is athletic enough to contribute at different spots.

“I think he’s more marketable now,” Trimper said. “He can play first, third or in the outfield.”

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

990-8240