EXHIBIT 5.1

                                   May 7, 2007

Escalade, Incorporated
817 Maxwell Avenue
Evansville, Indiana 47711

        Re:     Sale of 10,000 Shares of Common Stock of Escalade,  Incorporated
                Pursuant to the Company's Form S-8 Registration  Statement Filed
                with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof
                relating  to  the  Escalade,   Incorporated   2006  Non-Employee
                Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant

Dear Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel to Escalade,  Incorporated (the "Company"),  an
Indiana  corporation,  in connection  with the  registration of 10,000 shares of
Common  Stock of the  Company  which may be issued and sold under the  Company's
2006 Non-Employee  Director  Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant (the "Grant"),  as
set  forth  in the S-8  Registration  Statement  filed by the  Company  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof.

        As  counsel  for the  Company,  we have  made  such  legal  and  factual
examinations  and inquiries as we deemed  advisable for the purpose of rendering
this  opinion.  In addition,  we have examined  such  documents  and  materials,
including the Company's  Certificate of Incorporation,  Bylaws,  forms and other
materials  relating to the Grant and other corporate records of the Company,  as
we have deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

        On the basis of the  foregoing,  we are of the  opinion  that,  upon the
issuance of common stock  pursuant to the  exercise of stock  options as same is
granted by the Company  pursuant to the Grant, the 10,000 shares of Common Stock
being registered  pursuant to the Registration  Statement are currently  validly
authorized  and,  when  issued  and  sold as  contemplated  by the  Registration
Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common
Stock of the Company.

        We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion as part of the above
referenced Registration Statement and amendments thereto.


                                            Sincerely yours,

                                            GRAYDON HEAD & RITCHEY LLP

                                            By:  /s/ Richard G. Schmalzl
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Richard G. Schmalzl, Esq.,
                                                 Partner

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