An adventurous world traveler, John Ball (1794-1884) came to Grand Rapids in 1836 as a land speculator and stayed. A lawyer and teacher, Ball served on the Board of Education and as a state legislator before his death. In his will, he left 40 acres of land to the city, acreage that became the nucleus of the park and zoo which was named for him. Coppini's memorial statue to John Ball was the second offered to the city to honor one of its forefathers. The larger than life likeness of Ball was created by sketches and photographs provided to Coppini by Ball's family. The sculpture which depicts Ball with two small children illustrates his love of children and their reciprocal admiration for him.

Pompeo Coppini was born in Moglia, Mantua, Italy and graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence in 1889. In 1896 he immigrated to the United States, first living in New York and later setting up studios in Chicago and San Antonio, Texas. There he was the head of the Fine Arts Department at Trinity University and founded the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts. Coppini was granted numerous commissions throughout his career in the United States and was awarded by his homeland with the Commendatore of the Crown of Italy for his contribution to the field of art in 1931. His studio at 115 Melrose Place, San Antonio, is now a museum for the display of his work.