Pete Kozma, the 2007 first round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, is scheduled to attend the upcoming Diamond Dinner, which will be held January 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Collinsville Middle School. Pitcher Matt Hoffman, a teammate of Kozma's at Owasso High School, also plans to attend. Hoffman was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. Also from the 2007 high school graduating class will be Bishop Kelley graduate Parker Frazier, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

Additional dignitaries who have indicated an intent to attend are: Sand Springs native Brett Sinkbeil, 19th overall pick in the 2006 draft from Missouri State, selected by the Florida Marlins; Bob Shirley, a 1976 first-round selection of the San Diego Padres who also played for the Cardinals, Reds, Yankees, and Royals; Tim Pugh, taken in the 1989 draft by the Cincinnati Reds who also played with the Royals and Tigers; and, pitcher Matt Hancock from ORU, drafted by the Red Sox in 2005. Jon Tackett, who played third base at ORU, and Clay Overcash, a scout for the Chicago White Sox, also plan to be present.

A silent auction will be conducted at the Diamond Dinner. A few of the items that will be auctioned include a Collinsville baseball cap autographed by Johnny Bench; a baseball and player card signed by Jeff Francis, left-handed pitcher for the Colorado Rockies; an OU football autographed by Barry Switzer, and many more items too numerous to mention.

The keynote speaker will be George Frazier, who pitched nine years in the majors, from 1978 to 1987, with the Cardinals, Yankees, Cubs and Twins. Joining Frazier as Master of Ceremonies will be Chris Lincoln, Sports Director for KTUL NewsChannel 8 in Tulsa.

The $25 a plate (or $175 for a table of eight) Diamond Dinner and memorabilia auction is sponsored by the Collinsville Cardinals Home Run Club and is an effort to raise funds to enhance the baseball program. Everyone who supports Collinsville baseball is asked to attend by calling 371-0216. Those who purchase a table of eight will be allowed early entry at 6:00 p.m. to meet and visit with the guests.