Born in Whittier, CA; educated at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA and the University of Arizona, Tuscon (sculpture). Former minor league baseball player who wrote two scripts for director Roger Spottiswoode (including 1983's UNDER FIRE) before establishing himself as a writer-director with the 1988 sleeper hit, BULL DURHAM, a witty and literate insider's account of both love and hardball. Shelton was also responsible for the well-received BLAZE (1989), based on Louisiana governor Huey Long's notorious relationship with stripper Blaze Starr. Other notable writer-director credits include WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP (1992), COBB (1994), TIN CUP and THE GREAT WHITE HYPE (both 1996, both writer only), PLAY IT TO THE BONE (1999), HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE (2003, also producer), and BAD BOYS II (2003, screenplay only). Shelton was executive producer for BLUE CHIPS (1994), OPEN SEASON (1995) and NO VACANCY (1989).  Nominated for Achievement in Writing - Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 1988: BULL DURHAM 1 nomination