What is the ball...

[craig]

To pick up the metal bit out of the wood bit?

(I have no idea. My ashtray says 'Yeungling' on it, but I can't find any beer...)

[CoventryCat86]

As craig said, it's a handle used to remove the metal ashtray from the wooden base so you can empty the ashes.

If you see an ashtray with a large, cork ball in the middle that's about 1" in diameter, can you guess what that's for?

[ashauler]

Yes.
It's to knock a pipe against to empty the dottle.

[kevin7]

Yes I know also Bill

[badwhale]

buttplug?

ETA:wait. buttplug, with built in ass shield.

[cigarsarge]

I know...

[tc3driver]

Makes sense (the metal ball in the ashtray).

I would assume that the cork ball int he middle of the ash tray would serve the same purpose???

Otherwise no clue.

[OldGob]

As craig said, it's a handle used to remove the metal ashtray from the wooden base so you can empty the ashes.

If you see an ashtray with a large, cork ball in the middle that's about 1" in diameter, can you guess what that's for?

It's a pipe smokers thing. Used to knock the ash and dottle from the pipe when finished smoking.

[ashauler]

Great!
Finally, a resolution to this intriguing question, only 13 months or so of waiting required.

[kevin7]

well fuck me running ,I can sleep at night now without smoking a 20$
rock