I was being a dad Saturday morning. My son was participating in the Mark West Youth Club Little League opening day ceremonies under partially threatening skies. As is the predictable case with me, camera was in hand to photograph and document his next step in growing up.
Out of the corner of my eye, a spiked hairdo appeared. It had to be Guy Fieri. Sure enough, it was. The local boy that’s appeared in an Aflac commercial, makes me hungry when watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dive’s then takes a “Minute to Win It” was in the house, er, on the field.
I figured he was there to watch, maybe he had a kid or friend participating. Let him alone I thought, let him be a dad. Don’t stick a camera in his face. Well, I pretty much ignored his presence and watched the festivities on the diamond. Just as the event was winding down, Fieri walked on to the field.
To do what? Throw out the first pitch of the season.
I tried to quell my urge to be a photojournalist Mr. Fieri, but you forced my hand.
I was totally out of position for the pitch, but shot it anyway. After a strike to home plate, Fieri ran the outer perimeter of the diamond and high- fived players on the field .
One Mark West Little League board member told me his appearance was kept “Top secret.”
Gotcha anyway.
Local restauranteur and television personality Guy Fieri showed up at the Mark West Youth Club Little League opening day to throw out the first pitch. According to Mark West officials, his appearance was kept "Top Secret", Saturday April 2, 2011. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2011
Local restauranteur and television personality Guy Fieri showed up at the Mark West Youth Club Little League opening day to throw out the first pitch. According to Mark West officials, his appearance was kept "Top Secret", Saturday April 2, 2011. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2011
After local restauranteur and television personality Guy Fieri showed up at the Mark West Youth Club Little League opening day to throw out the first pitch, Fieri high fived players from the Farms division. According to Mark West officials his appearance was "Top Secret", Saturday April 2, 2011 in Larkfield. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2011
-Kent Porter
Jim
Looks like he has the tattoos in place, but will have to work a little harder on the “Fear The Beard” thing. Great looking kids!!!
April 2nd, 2011 3:16 pm
Used to Be Sebastopol
Guy wears “pedal pusher” pants? That’s soooo very 60′s and female, Guy!
April 2nd, 2011 4:04 pm
Mark
This is what community is all about. We all appraciate that Guy is not afraid to still be a kid at heart. He brings a smile to all of us.
April 2nd, 2011 5:34 pm
goodguy
Well, he’s a hometown boy; only makes sense that he would put in an appearance around town once in awhile. How fun for the Mark West players and parents! This is less than a mile from my digs! Cool!
And Kent Porter, you are the BEST photog the PD has ever had! I can always tell a Kent Porter pic before I even read your name!!! Good job, Kent! That was very considerate of you to respect Guy’s private space, up to a degree. Two thumbs up!
April 2nd, 2011 10:02 pm
Steve Decosse
Not to be the rain on the parade but Fieri is an overrated cook with a deep fryer. If you want over seasoned unhealthy food then he is your guy. What’s the hype all about?
April 2nd, 2011 10:38 pm
Jennifer
Thanks for the great photos Kent!! As always, they are awesome…Guy is very big on his community and it’s great that he could give back a little!
April 2nd, 2011 10:52 pm
Harry Hindquarters
Steve, you’re a troll. Nice try!
April 2nd, 2011 11:46 pm
johng
Good thing he’s not coaching. He’s throwing with his fingers underneath the ball. That’s a habit you need to start breaking as they move from teeball to low minors.
April 2nd, 2011 11:52 pm
turdcutter garlic
Great to see the kids out having fun. Too bad that over rated fry cook tool hamming it up out there. Just sayin.
April 3rd, 2011 12:40 am
Roger W.Hamilton
It’s good to see any celebrity remembering to get involved with his fans.
April 3rd, 2011 2:39 am
Tim
Nice story though someone’s always gotta rain on it. Guy is a national celebrity whether you think he can cook or not. Local boy makes good and shows he’s still just a local boy. Good job Guy!
April 3rd, 2011 3:19 am
Winston Wolf
Give it up Steve. No one wants to hear your hate. Johnny Garlic’s is good food and good fun. Move to France.
April 3rd, 2011 6:27 am
Regan Gonsalves
The old saying in my family is “money makes a person more of who they REALLY are”. Look, Guy Fieri is about giving back, recognizing youth in a positive way, and as we know, building community. Are you kiddin me!? Guy is the man, much love to you Guy…”OFF DA HOOK!!”
April 3rd, 2011 11:03 am
Brian
Hey Steve… Thanks for beeing the typical PD jackass commenter. This is a nice story about a local guy who has made it in entertainment being a part of his community and make a lot of kids very happy. No one cares about his food or anything else as it relates to this story. Crawl back into your hole and stick to your over-hyped opinions in the foody section.
Good job Guy.
April 3rd, 2011 11:59 am
weather
Man, I never thought I would get this much reaction to a posting. Let’s keep it clean though, everyone has an opinion, but there are kids that read this blog and I will not post replies which contain vulgar and offensive language. Thanks for understanding.
-Kent Porter
April 3rd, 2011 12:20 pm
Sunshine
Did Fieri drive to the game in his enormous, gas-guzzling yellow truck?
April 3rd, 2011 1:42 pm
Darn Biva
Guy never claimed or pretended to be a world class chef, or anything more than what he is. He is quite entertaining, and here he is trying to give something back to the community. What more does anybody want?
April 3rd, 2011 4:09 pm
Miss kelly McNelly
Oh calm down harry,wolfie and brian and stop licking your hindquarters when you read a comment you don’t like, it’s called free speech AH!
Here’s my turn and call me what you like I am man enough!:
Johnny Garlic food sucks!, no real chef talent!
Tired of seeing this over bleached celebrity food personality chick!
I give her kuddos though for milking it for all it’s worth!
Greta photos mister weather!
April 3rd, 2011 8:12 pm
deep fried un-happiness
great to see our local bleach pit throwing a pitch like a girl and disrespecting all the 12 year old talent on that field. id rather see tommy smothers yo-yo than this “local boy” throw a pitch on the fields i grew up on and my father and friends maintained. he is a tool who had his own car stolen to profit form the insurance to be able to open up his old failing restaurant as a hopeful better investment than a $200,000 sports car. deep fried un-happiness. if this does not show up here we know the little bit of truth.
April 3rd, 2011 11:32 pm
Smurf
Wow deep fried, that is quite an accusation to make. I assume you have proof. Let’s see it.
April 4th, 2011 11:22 am
Laurie Figone
Gotta love that Guy!!!!
April 4th, 2011 4:00 pm
Lincoln
Wow…”Deep friend unhappiness.” You are Mr Negative. Jack-A** Roll comes to mind. Just saying….The kids look pretty happy to me and isn’t that what it’s all about?
April 4th, 2011 8:57 pm
Dylan
Hey Guy you hi fived my hand and I turned out in the news paper.
April 7th, 2011 10:50 pm
Dylan
Hey Guy you hi fived my hand and I turned out in the news paper.
Oh Iforgot to say you ROCK!
April 7th, 2011 10:53 pm