CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Published on August 10, 2001
Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Ball Corporation of our report dated January 24, 2001, relating to the financial statements included in Ball Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - ------------------------------ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Denver, Colorado August 10, 2001