[Nashvol]

"Slippery" Ellam did indeed play for Birmingham 1909-1915. He was signed to manage Nashville in 1916 and promptly lead the Vols to their fourth Southern Association championship.

Well-loved for the years he had in Birmingham, on May 8, 1916, “Roy Ellam Day” was held at Rickwood Field. The former Barons player was presented with a Masonic watch charm as he came to bat in the second inning as Nashville lost to Birmingham 4-3.

He stayed with the Volunteers through the 1920 season, when on October 5 he was dismissed, stating from his home in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, "I understand they charge me with not getting results."

Ellam managed Galveston in the Texas League the next season, then returned to Atlanta to manage the Crackers in 1922.

The previous post by rhettyeakley is the most plausible with no evidence of Ellam being with Nashville prior to 1916.