Chatt-a-Hoots Bring In First Three Commitments For 2021 Season

Columbus, GA - The Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots are thrilled to reveal our first three commitments for the 2021 baseball season.

3B/RHP Cole Mathis (HS Senior, committed to College of Charleston), RHP Luke Davis (SO-Samford), and OF Zac Rice (FR-Chipola College) are all on board with manager Steve Smith for the inaugural season of Chatt-a-Hoots baseball.

All three players have ties to the Chattahoochee Valley from their high school baseball days. Mathis is finishing school at Harris County this academic year. Davis and Rice graduated from Glenwood and Russell County respectively.

"I’m really excited to be a part of bringing baseball back into the Chattahoochee Valley" Davis said. "I’m looking forward to the season and getting onto the field, I can’t wait to meet the other guys we bring in."

“This is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to be able to a part of bringing baseball back to Columbus" Mathis said. "It will be a great experience to be a part of the rich baseball tradition here in Columbus."

Manager Steve Smith was very excited to get these players on board early in his time as manager as he begins to lay the groundwork for what his roster will look like in June.

Smith Quotes

On Davis: "Luke Davis is big strong RHP that features a good pitch mix with an upper 80's to low 90's fastball. Luke is a guy that we are excited about with what he will bring to our pitching staff in terms of talent and demeanor. He will be a big part of our success this summer on the mound" 

On Mathis: "Cole Mathis will be one of the few two-way players that we target this summer. He has been one of the top high school players in the area for the past couple of years and is projected to remain as a two-way player in college. He is a third baseman with next level power and a power arm from the right side with five pitches including a fastball that has been gunned up to the mid 90's." 

On Rice: "Zac Rice is a dynamic player that has the ability to impact the game at an extremely high level on both sides of the ball. His elite speed, power and instincts will play well at spacious Golden Park. Zac is going to be a fun one for the fans to watch this summer and comes with probably the best nickname "White Lightning!"

For a better understanding of Rice's speed. According to Perfect Game stats and analysis, Rice's 60 yard dash time (6.27 sec) and 10-yard split (1.47 sec) are each in the top 0.4% nationwide for the HS class of 2020.

With a pitcher, a fielder and a two-way player committed the roster has only started to take shape for the 2021 Sunbelt League Baseball season. Stay tuned to the Chatt-a-Hoots on social media (@HootsonFirst) for more news about player commitments, season tickets, merchandise and more!