Historical clue formulations

• Not dead, as a football — 2015-09-13
• Up for grabs, as convention delegates — 2011-06-26
• Like a fair ball as opposed to a foul ball — 2011-06-20
• Live, as a football — 2009-12-14
• Live, as a football — 2006-11-08
• Live, as a game ball — 1997-08-17