Northampton Athletic Association’s opening day ceremony on Saturday was very special one.

Drawing a large crowd at the NAA complex, hundreds of girls and boys in uniform also paid tribute to a legendary NAA icon, Stephen “Deets” Guttman, whose more than 50 years of service in a myriad of volunteer positions is unprecedented.

The NAA named the baseball and softball complex the Stephen “Deets” Guttman Athletic Complex. The striking sign stands out in bold orange and black colors, below Northampton Athletic Association in small lettering.

While he was taken back by the recognition, which came as a surprise to the 88-year-old Guttman who is sidelined in a wheelchair, there was a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, as the cover was removed revealing the sign bearing his name.

Guttman, with an orange and black NAA baseball cap and in black and orange stripes, was heralded as an individual who truly bleeds orange and black.

‘’Deets is the straw that stirs the drink,” NAA officer and emcee Steve Kerbacher said of Guttman.

Speakers acknowledged Guttman as a pioneer with the NAA, a founding father when there was just a simple ball field and trees.

With his three sons and a grandson present, Guttman displayed signs of still having it. Wearing a baseball glove, Guttman briefly did a bit of catch and pitch.

Guttman was a NAA coach for years, as well as an officer, but to many he was a person who wore many other hats, even firing up the grill and cooking hot dogs, grooming the grounds, instructing and giving tips of the game to youngsters.

A stellar baseball player in his own right, he was a high school first baseman and pitcher and played with the Pennsylvania American Legion state championship team at Coplay American Legion along with Curt Simmons. Simmons then signed on with the Philadelphia Phillies while Deets signed on with the Boston Red Sox, playing for its affiliate in New Orleans.

As the girls and boys lined up at the complex, they bowed in appreciation for the honor bestowed onto him.