I used a cable and weight in my last bell... The cable doesn't allow it to ring just right. Hard to explain. It's better to have a ridged rod (that's what she said!). The bell rings better w/ that set up.
I did the same thing, but not in the right way. It turned loose from the bell in the middle of a game. I have no idea where it landed. Didn't see any commotion in front of me.
Years ago my clapper came loose at a game in Memorial Stadium. I was unable to find it so I removed a large square bolt from the seats there and fastened it in. It remains there to this day and has a somewhat distinctive ring about it.