DURHAM, N.C. -- University of Texas freshman catcher Preston Clark was one of 20 collegiate players nationally to be invited to participate in the 2006 USA Baseball National Team Trials on Tuesday, May 16.
While Clark (Rockwall, Texas) is looking to become the 11th Longhorns player to make the national squad, he is also the only student-athlete from the Big 12 included among the initial group of 20 invitees. Notably, UT has had at least one player included on the USA Baseball National Team in each of the last five seasons, including Kyle McCulloch and Drew Stubbs in 2005.
The trials will be held from June 22-July 1 in exhibition games played against teams in the New England Collegiate League. The official 22-man USA Baseball National Team roster will then be selected on July 2 from a pool of 36 players, of which an additional 16 have yet to be determined, that take part in the trials.
Texas' regular starting catcher in 2006, Clark is batting .275 overall with 21 runs scored and 22 RBI through 53 games. Additionally, he is hitting .317 in conference play and owns 14 multi-hit games to go along with three home runs on the year.
The 2006 USA Baseball National Team, which will be managed by Vanderbilt's Tim Corbin, will look to defend its 2005 FISU World University Baseball Championship this August in Havana, Cuba. Team USA will also participate in the 35th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship Series (July 25-29) as well as several Friendship Series at their home ballpark - the Durham Bulls Athletic Park - this summer. For more information on the USA Baseball National Team, log on to www.usabaseball.com. Email a Friend
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