Thomas Ballard focuses his ‘game’ on baseball

MADISON – At Discovery Middle School, Thomas played baseball, basketball and football. That configuration changed when he enrolled at Bob Jones High School.

“In my first year of high school, I decided to focus on baseball. I also play on a travel team, HITS Baseball,” he said. In baseball, Thomas has played several different positions, but he usually handles the positions of shortstop or pitcher.

“Baseball is my favorite because it’s a physical and mental challenge, especially pitching and hitting,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ sister, Kate, is an eighth-grader at Discovery. “My parents are Tom and Celynn Ballard. My dad is an electrical engineer at ADTRAN, and my mom teaches second grade at Mill Creek Elementary School,” Thomas said.

Thomas is a lifelong resident of Madison.

Q&A

Q: What are your favorite restaurants?

A: Five Guys and Beauregard’s.

Q: What’s your favorite food?

A: Cheeseburgers.

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: “Mississippi State University Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys (because of Dak Prescott),” Thomas said.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?

A: “When I was an eighth-grader at Discovery, we were playing Liberty and it was 0-0,” Thomas said. “I hit a 2-run double to give us the lead going into the last inning, and we held on to win.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: “I like to hang with my friends. We go to the greenway, hike up Rainbow Mountain, and play sports,” Thomas said.