WASHINGTON -- Nationals interim general manager Jim Bowden has often said this season that there are no easy outs on the team. He has been right so far, as the position players have helped the Nationals get off to a good start.

In fact, eight of those players -- Brian Schneider, Nick Johnson, Jose Guillen, Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge, Jose Vidro, Cristian Guzman and Vinny Castilla -- have been placed on the 2005 All-Star ballot.

Castilla, Guzman and Vidro have made All-Star appearances during their careers, while the rest of those representing Washington on the ballot are looking to play in their first Midsummer Classic, in Detroit on July 12.

Schneider and Guillen have been deserving of being All-Stars the last couple of years. Schneider is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, while Guillen has been one of the best run producers.

One can start voting for the Nationals players at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium starting April 29. In-stadium balloting ends on June 25.

Fans also can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Ameriquest 2005 All-Star Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites. Online balloting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30.

The 2005 American League and National League All-Star Teams will be unveiled on the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet, which will air live on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 3. This special program will feature the announcement of the 17 elected starters, as determined by the fan balloting program, and 45 pitchers and reserves, as determined by the player ballot and the two All-Star team managers -- Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox and Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals -- and Major League Baseball.

Immediately following the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show, fans will have the opportunity to select the final position player for each league's 32-man roster at MLB.com. The Ameriquest 2005 All-Star Final Vote will provide fans the opportunity to cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over a three-day period. Both winners of the Ameriquest All-Star Final Vote will be announced after the voting has concluded on Wednesday, July 6.

Concluding the All-Star balloting process, fans once again will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the 76th All-Star Game via the Ameriquest 2005 All-Star Game MVP Vote on MLB.com.

The All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive, national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage and MLB.com Radio will provide exclusive play-by-play coverage of the game on the Internet.