Doc, let's look at it like this. If the MB was on your axis point/PAP the pin would be 6 3/4" or 90 degrees from your PAP. You can rotate the pin around the ball to either be above the finger, in the center of your grip, down in the thumb quadrant or on the bottom of the ball, all with the MB staying on your PAP. You are not going to have much reaction, except for slightly changing the length due to the differnt pin locations. But basically, the ball won't do anything with the pin 6 3/4" or 90 degrees from your PAP.
Now, lets move the MB farther from your PAP, down the verticle axis line. What is happening is that the the pin will move closer to your PAP or farther away, depending where you position it, therefore creating either less than 90 degree or more than a 90 degree core angle.
With less or more than a 90 degree core angle, the core will wobble creating flare and hook. An earlier or later hook will happen, depending on how far the the pin is from your PAP.
I don't have time to finish my thoughts on this, so just digest this for a while. =:^D