<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-12-010980.txt : 20120316
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-12-010980.hdr.sgml : 20120316
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120316173259
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-12-010980
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120315
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120316
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120316

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Williams Leroy James Jr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001397981

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07349
		FILM NUMBER:		12698703

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		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
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-03-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000009389</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BALL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BLL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001397981</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Williams Leroy James Jr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BALL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 LONGS PEAK DR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BROOMFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80021-2510</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>VP Information &amp; Tech Services</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>37.9518</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>37.9518</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15457.7373</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ball Corporation Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Receipt of restricted stock unit award under the Deposit Share Program.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The restricted stock units will cliff lapse after four years from the restricted stock unit grant date.  The lapsing restrictions may be accelerated by meeting the reporting person's stock ownership guidelines.  If the stock ownership guidelines are met, then 30% of the restriction will lapse in the second year, 30% in the third year and 40% in the fourth year on either March 15, June 15, September 15 or December 15, the quarter immediately following the anniversary of the restricted stock unit grant date.  Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person in accordance with the aforementioned terms, or, if the shares are deferred, in accordance with the reporting person's deferral elections or the terms of the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">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="F5">Dividend reinvestment in Ball Corporation Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Stock units in Ball Corporation's Deferred Compensation Company Stock Plan are distributed upon the separation of service in accordance with the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles E. Baker, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Williams</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-03-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
