Possible Problem with Hurst Shifter

Today I had a chance to try out a Tri-Ax and it made me realize something might be wrong with my Hurst. Here is a link to a video that shows what I am talking about. Basically, it seems as if there is 2 inches or so of spring play to the left of 2nd and the same to the right of 5th. Is this normal for the Hurst shifter or is there something wrong with it?
The reason I ask is because the Tri-Ax has NO spring play between gears.

Hurst Shifter Link

Could the fact that I didn't put the plastic ball on the shifter have anything to do with it?
I just dropped it back in the tranny after I took out the old shifter. I never snapped it back in.

Edit, next morning
Fixed it. As it turns out, it was the plastic bushing. I made the mistake of following the instructions



Bushing NEEDS to go back on shifter, not in transmission.
Oh well, now my shifter kicks azz!!