By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL/Designated Writer

If there is a category for Worst Sporting Event — especially when the term “sporting” is used loosely — there is no question that it happens on July 4.

The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has somehow made its way into the sports landscape and I don’t know how, why or when. If an event qualifies as “gross,” then it shouldn’t qualify as a sporting event.

The line between sports and competition keeps getting blurrier. Just because people compete, it doesn’t make it a sport.

The National Spelling Bee is like the Super Bowl and World Cup rolled into one in comparison to the hot dog eating contest. I’m not sure who wants or needs to vomit more; me or the competitors.

Speaking of ‘dogs, I’ll watch the Westminster Dog Show all day long rather than watch the first bite from Coney Island.

It doesn’t help that I have a complete phobia about one of the hot dog’s cousins in the culinary world (and have had a problem since the first grade). I can’t even type the words. I’ve been hot dog-less since Fair Grounds Field was bat-free and I’m in no hurry to break the streak. Either one.

Every year, they trot out Joey Chestnut and whoever has been called up from the minors to try to unseat the champion.

From the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest official website: Will the Mustard Belt stay firmly wrapped around Joey Chestnut’s waist, or will it go to Matt Stonie or up-and-comer Carmen Cincotti? On the women’s side: can ANYONE top Miki Sudo?

I’m not sure which one bothers me more — that they are competing for the “Mustard Belt” or that there is a women’s competition?

On the other hand, I might start using “Matt Stonie” as my new favorite fake name. So there’s that.

(Pictured L/R: Larry Wright, Reggie Wayne, Scooter Hobbs, Paul Varisco (father-in-law of Dave Dixon Leadership Award winner Steve Gleason), P.B. Candies (son of inductee Paul Candies), Lewis “Louie” Cook, Brandon Stokley, Brett Candies (for his dad Paul), Jack Haines, Lyn Rollins, Jerry Simmons. Not pictured: Russell Springer.)

By the rules (or as per if you’re into into Latin) of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Committee’s bylaws etc pro temp etc more Latin etc, to be eligible for induction into the Hall in a lifetime sport, like tennis, golf, or jockeying (is that word?), you have to have turned 50. Consider David Toms, Class of 2017 and one of the greatest friends the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (LASHOF) ever had. (Just ask us about how he helped us with vans on the rainy year when he was inducted.)  David is a stud.Only those of his ilk (we enjoy writing “ilk”) are inducted into the HOF. So there’s that.

To be eligible in a non-lifetime sport like football, you need to have been retired for three years. Has Peyton Manning been retired for three years? Uhh…soon, yes.

There is a solid chance he will be a member of the Class of 2019. We, the Induction Committee, meet in August.

Advice from Designated Writers. Go to LASPORTSHALL.com and call this number: (318) 238-4255. You’ll find info on how to get tickets for the Induction Ceremony in late June for the 2019 Induction.

Saturday was the second-largest crowd ever in the Natchitoches Special Events Center. The first-largest was the year the Hall of Fame on Front Street opened and the year Shaquille O’Neil was inducted. He declared the town, for the weekend, Shaqitoches. Shaq is a great American. And solid HOFer.

Highlights this year were many. So happy for Jennifer Hobbs, daughter of Scooter Hobbs, a well-deserved recipient (12 times Columnist of the Year in Division II in the state!) of the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Jennifer is the apple of his eye and THE City Engineer for Missouri City, Texas, next to Houston. Scooter calls her his daughter. And his retirement plan.)

The other recipients were awesome too. Larry Wright, talking of his mother of nine children. Steve Gleason of Team Gleason. Louis Cook, who has influenced so many as a high school coach. NFL studs Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley. Go to LASportsHall.com to read more about this compelling class.

And get your tickets for next year. I can’t keep a secret. Get in line now. Would love to see you there. Maybe Peyton will be there too?

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