An Idea for a Knex Ball Machine Lift

Help please

Step 1: Pictures

The lift picks up the ball at the middle and lifts it to the top. However I can't find a way to make the ball come out at the top. That is what the Grey connecter and blue rod are for.The last few pictures show what is supposed to happen. But the blue rod isn't falling to let the ball out at the top. Instead it is stopping the ball at the top and the ball is not moving. If you can help please let me know. By the way i plan on putting claws on the end to lift balls from the bottom as well. Like a arm lift.