Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One of the all-time greats in baseball, and especially in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, will come to Springfield next year to headline a fundraiser for the home of the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes.

The Lucky Horseshoes announced Thursday that Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will be a part of the “Dinner for the Diamond” fundraiser.  It’s scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Robin Roberts Stadium.  Smith is expected to give the keynote speech at the event.

“Robin Roberts Stadium is a place where history, community, and baseball all come together,” said Jamie Toole, Lucky Horseshoes Chief Storyteller, in a news release. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ozzie Smith to share his story and help us continue the work of protecting this incredible stadium for years to come.”

The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of Robin Roberts Stadium Foundation, recently formed as part of a move to shift ownership of the stadium from the Springfield Park District, to the City of Springfield, and eventually to the foundation, mainly so that long-deferred maintenance could be done.  The Lucky Horseshoes, as the primary tenant, has called for turf on the playing field, improved storm drainage, and other things.  A perceived lack of good storm drainage caused at least nine Shoes games to be cancelled this past season.

“Dinner for the Diamond” will be on the field at Robin Roberts Stadium, starting at 6:30pm May 21.  General admission will be $115, but $195 will get you dinner, the event, and “an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Smith.  Tickets are on sale now.