Hi Jeff:
I do apologize for making you crawl on your stomach for no reason!!
I have never even heard of a roller ball tub drain, so a first for me here!!
According to my search on
roller ball tub drains (see pic.) all you need to do is
turn this stopper counterclockwise to remove it. However, in further investigating it seems that you need to take a pair of needlenose pliers or similar tool and hold the stem under the stopper so you can rotate the stopper out counterclockwise. If you don't hold the stem, this will turn counterclockwise forever..AS YOU KNOW ALL TOO WELL!!!
Let me know what happens here!! Maybe I will learn something with you...
Thanks Jeff....
MARK
.