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 Little League opening day to throw out the first pitch, Fieri high fived players from the Farms division.  According Mark West officials his appearance was "Top Secret", Saturday April 2, 2011 in Larkfield. (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

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