Normally, when that happens, it is usually the top sleeve being too tight. First, insure there is no dirt or anything inside the ball-it. If it is clean, then try sanding the top sleeve again.
If you have done all the above and still feel it is the ball-it, then remove the top sleeve by hand, use the same drill you used when you drilled the original thumb hole, either 1 7/16 or 1 5/16. Just set you pitches and line up the drill to the hole and drill out the ball-it. The drill should stop in the same place as it did originally. Then remove the drill and insert the 1/2 drill to remove the safty molly. Take a look to insure all the material has been removed. Then reinsert a new top sleeve, ball-it and safty molly.
I have done this numerious times for different reasons with no problems. Just make sure the 1/2 drill was dead on, if not, you may have to plug the 1/2 hole.
Good Luck
Edited by Stan on 1/21/2011 at 7:36 AM