Abstract: A ball latch mechanism including an annular cage concentrically located between a bearing member and a trigger. The cage includes a slot and a latch ball located in the slot in contacting relation with the trigger. The latch ball is radially movable between a first position in which the ball protrudes from the slot to interfere with movement of the bearing member and a second position wherein the ball is retracted into the trigger. Each slot is circumferentially elongated in relation to the ball such that, upon rotation of the trigger from a latch position to an unlatched position, the ball rolls circumferentially along the cylindrical surface within the slot. A biasing means may be used to urge the ball toward a preferred starting location.