In locked position does not meant that you have to lock it real tight like a vice clamp. But even before you create a flat spot on the ball, you would have broke the lever or the knob liao.
Oh please enlighten me where did I look stupid if the TS were to purposely abuse the ballhead just to prove that the ballhead will be damage in locked position?
I posted the question because I am curious to know why they thought that it will be damage in locked position when they started this question. Nothing sacrastic in it.