I just discovered that someone stuck a ball bearing inside the end of the vacuum line that goes to the fuel pressure regulator. I have no clue why someone would do this. does any one have any idea why they would do this and, wouldn't that increase fuel consumption?

 

Yes this would potentially increase fuel consumption. Possible reasons why somebody would do this...

A) A PO didn't understand EFI and though this would produce more power.
B) There was a vacuum leak and this was the method used to plug it.