Earl Wayne Ball (1885–1947) was a co-owner of the Muncie Flyers from 1917 until 1922, as well as a co-founder of the American Professional Football Association (renamed the National Football League in 1922). Muncie returned to the league in 1922. However, the Flyers lost to the Evansville Crimson Giants and the Cincinnati Celts to open the season. A scheduled game against the Green Bay Packers was also cancelled, and Checkaye and Ball folded the team and left the AFPA.