“The Ball” is an abstract concept that refers to control of the story. Optionally, you may use a physical object to represent the ball. When a player has a ball, they tell the story, ask questions to other players, and interpret what happens.
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The ball does not silence players without the ball. They may still comment. Their words are simply not as authoritative and predominant as the words of the player with the ball.
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The players can intentionally move the ball. Examples follow.
At the start of a session or when players Drop the Ball, any player may pick up the ball.
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The player who picks up the ball should have a good reason. For instance, at the start of a session, it might make the most sense for a Scene Monitor to pick up the ball.
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The player with the ball can pass the ball to another player.
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If you want the ball, you can ask the player with the ball to pass you the ball.
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The players might accidentally move the ball. Examples follow.
The players might get into a discussion or a tangent that is not related to the story. When this happens, any player may pick up the ball and resume the story.
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For example, Darius the Dice Monitor has the ball. One player rolls extremely poorly, and another player comments on how unlikely that roll was. The players discuss probability, and Darius calculates the odds. The players point out that Darius dropped the ball.
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The story might drift, and with it the ball will shift, from one player to another. When this happens, the interceptor may keep the ball or pass it back.
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For example, Darius the Dice Monitor has the ball during a combat exchange. A main character fumbles, and an enemy injures them. Sally the Scene Monitor taunts them in the voice of the enemy. The players banter. Sally then starts a villainous monologue. Soon after, the players point out that Sally intercepted the ball from Darius.
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You and your friends need to cooperate to tell a story together. It might be unclear who should have the ball, but it is always best to resolve those questions in a calm and polite manner.