A highly anticipated documentary honoring Hall of Fame baseball legend Johnny Mize has officially sold out ahead of its showing at Piedmont University’s Mason Scharfenstein Museum of Art.
According to museum representative Rebecca Brantley, all 40 available seats for tonight’s screening of Stalking the Big Cat have been claimed, signaling strong community interest in the life and legacy of the Demorest native.
“We are at capacity,” Brantley said. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind.”
The event is being led by filmmaker Hal Jacobs, with the museum serving as host venue.
In addition to the film, attendees can expect a unique experience featuring several special guests with ties to Mize and his legacy. Among them:
- Hal Jacobs, filmmaker
- Joni Mabe, a relative of the baseball great
- Jerry Grillo, author and storyteller
- Shawn Allen and other contributors
These guests are expected to share personal insights, historical knowledge and memorabilia connected to Mize’s life and career.
With demand clearly exceeding available seating, the possibility of an encore showing has already come up. While nothing has been confirmed, Brantley said she plans to discuss the idea with Jacobs.
“I think that would be a great idea,” she said, noting the overwhelming response from the community.
The sold-out event highlights a renewed local interest in preserving and celebrating the story of one of Habersham County’s most notable figures. Known as “The Big Cat,” Mize rose from Northeast Georgia to become one of Major League Baseball’s most feared hitters and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
