RALEIGH, N.C. – Kentucky’s John Shelby begins his quest for a spot on the USA Baseball National Team on Monday.

Shelby is one of 39 players invited by USA Baseball to the team trials to compete for 22 spots from June 27-30 on the campus of North Carolina State. Following a light workout on Monday, the players will split into two squads and play five games over three days.

Should he earn a spot on the team, Shelby will join former UK standouts Chad Green and John Wilson as players to play for the USA National Team. Green represented the US in the 1996 Olympics while Wilson was a 1999 team member.

Joining Shelby at the trials is Wildcat skipper John Cohen, who is serving as an assistant coach for the squad.

The 2005 USA Baseball National Team will participate in the 34th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship Series in Japan, July 8-12 and a Friendship Series vs. Taiwan in Chinese Taipei, July 15-19 prior to returning home to play six exhibition games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park this summer, July 22-24 & July 29-31.