I have confirmed that it does make the trackball work, but after having to replace the rollers and the ball, it is just cheaper to buy a whole new trackball that is 60-in-1 ready.
I've looked at those options but a friend told me there was a way to modify one to work but didn't have any particulars. I was hoping someone had the way to make it work. I have a couple atari TBs and didn't want to buy one if i had two on the shelf. looks like i'll just buy a happ.
Here is the thread where someone got the Atari trackballs to work with a home-made adapter that cost under $10. Unfortunately, he hasn't posted the info on how to do this, and I don't know if he ever got enough interest to offer them for sale...
i guess i'm going to have to buy a happ TB and find the difference myself. I've got several atari TBs and little use for them as person needs only so many backups.