'Birds Re-Sign Quarterback Jim Ballard, Waive Sauk
Published on March 13, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League have re-signed quarterback Jim Ballard to a free agent contract. Terms for the deal were not disclosed. Ballard will be in uniform when the Firebirds square off with the Los Angeles Avengers on Sunday afternoon.
Ballard (6-3, 220) originally signed with the Firebirds as a street Free Agent last June, joining the team for the final three games of the season. He saw time in one game last year, ironically against this week's opponent the Los Angeles Avengers. In a relief effort, he helped the Firebirds erase an eleven-point second half deficit completing 6-of-8 pass attempts for 97 yards in just over one quarter of action as the 'Birds defeated the Avengers 56-53 on July 14th. Ballard competed with Raymond Philyaw and Craig Whelihan during training camp before being released during the final week of camp.
Ballard joins rookie quarterback Jose Davis as the only active quarterbacks on the Firebirds' roster entering week seven of the regular season. Ballard will backup Davis, who is the projected starter for this weekend's meeting with the Avengers. Prior to entering the AFL, Ballard spent time in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts ('99,'02), and in NFL Europe with the Scottish Claymores ('96,'98), London Monarchs ('95), and Saskatchewan Roughriders ('00). He also had NFL stints with the Cincinnati Bengals ('94) and Buffalo Bills ('97-'98) before one season with the XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws ('01).
In other personnel moves, the Firebirds have waived quarterback Matt Sauk from the team's practice squad. Sauk was signed to the Firebirds' practice squad last week after being waived by the Los Angeles Avengers prior to the beginning of the season.
The 'Birds return home on Sunday to face the Los Angeles Avengers in the first of a two-game home stand. The game can be heard on the Indiana Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM (Indianapolis), WPZZ 95.9 FM (Franklin, IN), ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil) and ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute). Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 noon. Tickets to that game can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 317-239-5151 and firebirds.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2003
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