Columbus, Ga. – The new Columbus baseball team revealed their new name, the Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots, Friday afternoon along with the hiring of their manager Steve Smith.

The Chatt-a-Hoots name was chosen through a Name the Team contest that the organization held for three weeks on their social media accounts from October 12 through November 8.  The contest garnered over 1000 suggestions and 4000 votes from the Columbus community.  Of those suggestions, 16 were chosen for the tournament-style contest that fans were allowed to vote on for three rounds to determine a winner.

“We think that it relates to the community.  It’s a unique name.  It’s something that’s never been here before, and we think it’s a name that you’re going to have a lot of fun with,” said president and general manager Scott Brand.  “The fans really reacted, and we were really overwhelmed with the number of people that submitted names.  I think that the community’s really hungry to bring baseball back, and it looks like it’s going to be a home run here.  I think the fans got it right.  There are owls here (in Columbus), and then obviously (the name) tied in with the (Chattahoochee River).  I think the fans did a nice job of picking something that represents us, I also think they picked a name that’s fun.  I think they did a nice job and got it right.”

Smith currently serves as the head coach of the varsity baseball team at Calvary Christian School, a position he’s held for eight years.  Under his leadership, the Knights have gone 151-53, won seven straight region championships, and back-to-back state titles in 2018 and 2019. 

“I’m really excited about this opportunity.  I’m humbled and thankful,” said Coach Smith.  “I want to thank (team owner Jeff Croop) and Scott Brand for seeing the hidden jewel that is Golden Park and casting a vision for what they think it can be. I look forward to building a team that is a perennial championship contender, one that develops a reputation of development, and becomes the desired summer team for elite players in the area to come play.”

Joining Smith on his staff is assistant coach Rodney Rutherford.  A native of Columbus, Rutherford played college baseball at Chattahoochee Valley and Columbus State, and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 20th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.  He previously worked on Smith’s staff at Calvary Christian from 2016-17

“I’m really excited about joining the team,” said Rutherford.  “I feel like this is an great opportunity for Columbus, and we’re going to do amazing things.”

Columbus and the Lawrenceville Lynx both begin their inaugural seasons in 2021.  Their addition expands the total number of teams in the Sunbelt back to eight for the first time since 2017.

Columbus is on Facebook and Twitter @HootsOnFirst, and Instagram @hootsonfirst, and online at https://www.gohoots.com/.  They will play all of their home games at Golden Park in downtown Columbus with plans to renovate the 5,000-seat stadium before the start of the season.

The Sunbelt Summer Baseball League has been providing premier summer baseball for the Southeast since 2005.  For everything around the Sunbelt League go online to sunbeltleague.com for news, scores, broadcast information and much more, and on Facebook and Twitter @sunbeltbaseball and Instagram @sunbeltleague.