How Ballard's Eli Rouse plans to successfully juggle baseball and the Iowa state track meet

Eli Rouse has a busy week ahead of him.

On Monday, Rouse threw five shutout innings for the Ballard baseball team during the Class 3A No. 4 Bombers' season-opening 2-0 loss to 4A No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes.

On Thursday, he will run in the Class 3A 200-meter dash at the state track and field meet in Des Moines. Rouse will compete in the 4x400 prelims at the state track meet Friday and the Bombers are favored to reach Saturday's finals in the event.

The Ballard baseball team also plays Thursday and Friday. The Bombers are at Webster City on Thursday and at home against Grinnell on Friday.

Rouse said he would like to play in both games after he runs at the state track meet.

“I’m really excited for that,” said Rouse. “I’m going to work 100% for both.”

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But Ballard baseball coach Mike Furlong wants to temper Rouse's expectations. He said he and his staff have a plan for the Bomber baseball players running at state track, and he has been in talks with Ballard track and field coach Darren Herrold about how to handle things appropriately.

“You’re trying to set them up for success in track, so you’ve got to be smart with them,” Furlong said. “Those are the type of guys — you’ve got to tell them no at times.”

Rouse is certainly capable of shouldering such a big load.

As a running back he was Ballard's top offensive weapon during football over the past three seasons. He also has experience playing varsity basketball.

But baseball is his standout sport. He was an all-state pitcher last season when Ballard earned its first trip to the state baseball tournament in program history.

Rouse was 5-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 80 strikeouts against just 23 walks in 54 innings on the mound. He also hit .420 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 30 runs and 24 steals on offense, and he made just four errors in 40 chances on defense.

“Eli is one of the hardest-working kids I’ve been around,” Furlong said. “He’s very selfless. He’ll do whatever you ask of him. He’s just a tough-nosed kid and you’d like to have every guy on the team just like him.”

Rouse helped Ballard go 21-11 last season. The Bombers defended Des Moines Hoover, Bondurant-Farrar and Knoxville in substate play to earn their trip to state, where they suffered an 11-1 loss to Wahlert Catholic in the quarterfinals.

Rouse wants to make it back to the state baseball tournament again in July. He worked hard over the summer to get even better as a pitcher now that he is the team's clear ace with the graduation of Jaden Peasley from last year's team.

“I’ve improved with my command,” Rouse said. “It might not have shown tonight (against DCG), but I’m developing more pitches and (better) placement of pitches.”

Rouse went a little long in pitch counts against a few DCG batters on Monday. He finished with four walks.

But he also had eight strikeouts and gave up just two hits, keeping a talented Mustang team off the scoreboard while he was on the mound.

“He had a pretty good night,” Furlong said. “He just got a little deep in counts with guys, especially early on. It’s tough to ride a guy out to 110 (pitches) the first time out. He’ll clean that up.”

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Even when he is not on his "A" game, Rouse is still a huge weapon to have on the hill.

“I’ve been catching him since third grade,” said Ballard catcher Jake Oldenkamp. “It’s easy. I love catching for him.”

Rouse has worked on getting more command of his curveball and adding an effective change-up to go along with his fastball.

Rouse's ability to take over a game on the mound, combined with outstanding talents at the plate, on the bases and in the field, make him one of the best all-around players in the state, regardless of class.

“It’s always good to have someone who can go out and do it on the mound, but also do it out on the field,” Furlong said. “He’ll just go out and compete.”

Rouse is excited to get the baseball season going. He feels Ballard has enough talent for another run at state.

“That’s definitely our goal to make it back and win a few more games when we’re there,” Rouse said. “That’s what we’re working for.”

But first things first. Rouse must pull double duty this week and try to help the Ballard boys win the 4x400 at state track.

“Tons of props to him,” said Ballard outfielder Chance Lande “He’s a heck of an athlete. He shows it night in and night out, especially this year. He’s put on more muscle, and he’s gotten faster. I feel like he’s just better in every category this year.”

Lande, who is also running in the 4x400, along with the 4x800, sprint medley and open 400 at state track, said Rouse has helped prepare him to take on both sports during the week. Rouse has a simple solution for how to handle everything.

“Just go with the flow,” Rouse said. “That’s what I’m doing.”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ballard's Eli Rouse plans to juggle baseball and Iowa state track meet