BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Diamond Society, the official booster club of the Samford baseball program, will hold its 7^th Annual First Pitch Dinner, with former Major League Baseball player and current Samford staff member Marlon Anderson as the featured speaker, on Feb. 3.
 
The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. in Cooney Hall on the Samford University campus. Established in 2016, the Diamond Society provides direct financial support for the Samford baseball program.  Diamond Society members receive various benefits including season ticket passes, exclusive access to special events, content and apparel.
 
"Our Diamond Society Club is a critical part of our program on a yearly basis," Samford head coach Tony David said. "Loyal members that care a lot about our baseball program and we are excited to have it continue to grow. This Dinner is a great opportunity for us to spend a night showing appreciation to our members as we get set to kick start the 2022 baseball season."

Anderson played at the Major League level for the Philadelphia Phillies (1998-2002), Tampa Bay Rays (2003), St. Louis Cardinals (2004), New York Mets (2005, 2007-09), Washington Nationals (2006) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-07). He posted a career .265 batting average, driving in 371 runs. Anderson has professional coaching experience as well, working as a hitting coach with the Hagerstown Suns in 2011 and 2012 and with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2018.
 
Anderson, a native of Montgomery, played collegiately at South Alabama. As a senior, he batted .357 with 13 home runs, and was the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and a first team All-American. Anderson was drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the 1995 MLB Draft. 
 
"We will have a little 'State of the Program' update for the group and then we are very much looking forward to having Marlon share some of his experiences over a long Big League career and in coaching as well," David said.
 
The First Pitch Dinner is an exclusive event for Diamond Society members and guests.  For more information on the dinner, please contact Coach David at tgdavid@samford.edu.
 
Samford opens the season versus Arkansas State on Friday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. Ticket information will be available soon at www.samfordtickets.com.  
 
Fans interested in joining the Diamond Society may contact Bo Kerr at (205) 726-2139.
 
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