VYPE: Who are some of your biggest influences or role models?

Ballard: That would be my parents and coaches. They support me in every way possible and they strive to make me the best I can be. 

VYPE: What has it taken to be successful in your sports?

Ballard: Dedicating my time for practice and conditioning. Staying after to get the extra time in. I am sacrificing my personal time so that I can be the best in all the sports I play. 

VYPE: What motivates you?

Ballard: I just want to be the best I can be. In my head, I know I’m the best out here, so I have to prove it!!

VYPE: What has been the highlight moment of your career?

Ballard: With baseball, it would be the game I played during summer ball. I pitched the entire game. We won 1-0. I didn’t give up any runs. Then, with football, it would be my first rushing touchdown. 

VYPE: Is there an opponent that you enjoy beating the most?

Ballard: That would be Chisholm High School. We have been going back and forth for many years in baseball. 

VYPE: What does it mean to you to represent your school and community when you play?

Ballard: It means a lot to me knowing the players that worn the jerseys before me carry a legacy that you have to keep up. So you don’t disappoint the school and community. 

VYPE: What teacher has had the biggest impact on your life?

Ballard: That would be all my teachers, but Coach Riesen has really been there pushing me through my ups and downs. 

VYPE: What clubs and campus activities are you involved with?

Ballard: BETA is the only club activity that I’m in because baseball and football take up a lot of my time.

VYPE: Pioneer Baseball Coach David Riesen says the following about Ballard.

Riesen: Robert is as hard of a worker as we have. He never misses a practice and always practices with game-like intensity.