I see why the ball pulled out – you have the racing safety pin
type socket. The safety pin (red arrow) will rotate and clip off
the socket and then it can slide out of the socket. Once the
safety pin is out, the ball will pop out of the socket.
I would press the ball back in the lever arm and weld it. There
is a replacement ball & nut used at the transmission bell crank
that will work just fine. Be sure and Loctite red the nut.
Best,
Grady