<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-12-003503.txt : 20120202
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-12-003503.hdr.sgml : 20120202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120202091012
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-12-003503
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOOVER R DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186033

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07349
		FILM NUMBER:		12564466

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BALL CORPORATIO
		STREET 2:		10 LONGS PEAK DRIVE
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80021-2510

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BALL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000009389
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METAL CANS [3411]
		IRS NUMBER:				350160610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 LONGS PEAK DRIVE
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80021-2510
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034695511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 5000
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80038-5000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BALL BROTHERS CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19731115
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 LONGS PEAK DR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
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            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
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            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <isOther>1</isOther>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>39.5201</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>400786.872</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>378</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>39.51</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>400408.872</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <nonDerivativeHolding>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7668.547</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
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                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>366002</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>SAH Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-01-31</value>
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                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <expirationDate>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6009.4244</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>39.26</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>441460.7107</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.8725</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-04-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>115000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.8725</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-01</value>
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                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-04-23</value>
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                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Common stock acquired upon the lapse of Table II Restricted Stock Units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares withheld for the payment of the tax obligation on the lapse of restrictions on Table II restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Exercise of stock options in accordance with reporting person's pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan adopted by the reporting person on December 14, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Sale of stock in accordance with reporting person's pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan adopted by the reporting person on December 14, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Total number of 401(k) Plan shares acquired through periodic dividend reinvestment, participant's contributions and employer matching contributions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The reporting person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities in the Suzanne A. Hoover Trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ball Corporation Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Lapse of restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Each unit may be settled for a single share of stock or the equivalent amount of cash pursuant to the Ball Corporation Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Lapsed restricted stock units deferred into Ball Corporation's Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan as stock units and may include company match.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Stock units in Ball Corporation's Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan are distributed upon the separation of service in accordance with the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Shares exercisable beginning one year after grant in 25% increments and thereafter annually upon the anniversary of the date of the grant of the stock option.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert W. McClelland, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Hoover</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-02-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
