LIVINGSTON, Ala.— The University of West Alabama baseball team is proud to announce its plans for the 2007 Grand Slam Dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 in the Bell Conference Center on the UWA campus.

The guest speaker this year will be current major league baseball player and former Demopolis High School standout Jason Smith.

Smith, who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, began his professional career in the International league, earning postseason all-star honors for Triple-A Durham, spending the entire season there with the exception of a four-day stint for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. While in Durham, he batted .333 (29-of-88) with 15 runs scored, four doubles, three triples, three home runs and 15 RBIs in 24 games during April of 2003.

The Demopolis, Ala., native opened the 2004 season with Triple-A before joining Detroit for the remainder of the season after his contract purchased on May 13. Appeared in 61 games for the Tigers, collecting a career-high three hits against Baltimore (May 29) and drilled his first home run of the season, a solo shot, against Minnesota (June 6). Smith also added his first multi-homer game against Minnesota (July 9).

Last season, Smith made the Tigers opening-day roster out of spring training, but split the season between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo. He batted .190 with a pair of RBIs in 27 games for the American League Champions. He made 12 starts, six at second base, five at shortstop and one at third and first base. After eight games for the Toledo Mud Hens, Smith was purchased by Detroit on June 14, where he hit .154 (2-for-13) in six games for the Tigers before being designated for assignment on July 4.

During the offseason, Smith signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Dinner will also provide those in attendance with a chance to meet the 2007 Tigers and coaching staff. West Alabama merchandise will also be available for purchase so Tiger fans can show their support for the 2007 squad by purchasing T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and several other UWA items.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12-and-under. Anyone interested in attending should contact the baseball office at 205-652-3870 for ticket information.

The Tigers will play three scrimmages before opening the season on Feb. 3 at Columbus State. West Alabama will face Bevill State Sumiton at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, Shelton State at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 and Calhoun Community College at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28.