five things to know

1 MLB will release its All-Star Game ballot on Friday. This opens a 10-week voting period to pick the starters for this year's showcase, on July 15 at Target Field.

2 The All-Star ballot lists one player from each team at each defensive position.

3More than 30 million ballots are cast each year, with about 80 percent of those submitted online. In 2012, a record 40.2 million ballots were cast.

4 Fans can vote up to 25 times per online account.

5The vote totals are tabulated and authenticated by the Boston-based TMC Group.