SHERMAN, Texas – In light of Joey Chestnut’s sudden availability, the Sherman Shadowcats, a first-year summer developmental league team, are officially inviting him to participate in the hot-dog eating contest prior to their July 4 game against the Texarkana Rhinos.
Team president Troy Sample said that while Chestnut is a 17-time winner of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest who once downed 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, “he’s batting .000 in our competition.”
In a nod to Chestnut’s new sponsorship, Sample said that if Chestnut competes, the contest will use Impossible Foods hot dogs.
Although the Shadowcats already had participants in mind, Sample said, “In the dog-eat-dog world of competitive eating, sometimes you’ve got to change your order.” He continued, “Joey might want to use our event as batting practice for his upcoming showdown against his rival on Netflix.”
With or without Chestnut, the competition will take place at Veteran’s Field before the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
Shadowcats fans interested in watching the hot-dog competition, and entertaining baseball, can buy tickets at shop.shadowcatsbaseball.com/game-tickets.