Rise to success[edit]
Ballotta signed with Brescia Calcio in 1994, being relegated in his sole season. He then spent the following campaign in Serie B with A.C. Reggiana 1919, achieving promotion at the first attempt. After being immediately relegated, he left for S.S. Lazio for 1997–98, initially as third-choice.
After three seasons with the Biancocelesti, Ballotta enjoyed a brief stint with Inter Milan, who acquired the player for 7 billion Italian lire.[4] During this timeframe, he was also loaned to Modena, helping them gain promotion to the top flight in 2002 and subsequently signing permanently for free.[4]
Ballotta remained at the Stadio Alberto Braglia until the club's relegation at the end of 2003–04, spending the following season with Treviso F.B.C. 1993 in the second tier. Despite a fourth-place finish, they were promoted in place of Genoa C.F.C. after the latter were demoted to Serie C1 following a match-fixing scandal, and he was once again back in the top level after rejoining Lazio as a replacement for Fabrizio Casazza as third goalkeeper.