A transmission shift assembly comprising: a ball plunger actuator assembly comprising: a retainer plug having an inner chamber that defines a longitudinal axis; a plunger that is at least partially received into the inner chamber of the retainer plug, wherein the plunger translates along the longitudinal axis during a shifting event; a select spring received in the inner chamber; and a reverse spring received in the inner chamber; characterized by the ball plunger actuator assembly further comprising: a cam body having a select cam that provides a first engagement surface and a reverse detent protrusion; wherein the ball plunger actuator assembly and the cam body cooperate to provide a dual stage load such that a first load is provided during interaction of the plunger and the select cam at the first engagement surface and a second load, greater than the first load, is provided during interaction of the plunger and the reverse detent protrusion, wherein (i) during the first load the select spring is compressed and the plunger translates into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a first distance, and (ii) during the second load the select spring and the reverse spring are both compressed and the plunger translates further into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a second distance; wherein the inner chamber of the retainer plug defines a first chamber portion having a first inner diameter and a second chamber portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; wherein the reverse spring is disposed in the first diameter of the inner chamber between a washer and a cap; wherein the cap is treadably received by the retainer plug; wherein the select spring is disposed in both of the first and second chamber portions (110, 116); and wherein the select spring is received by the reverse spring in a coaxial position and acts against the cap and the plunger. a ball plunger actuator assembly comprising: a retainer plug having an inner chamber that defines a longitudinal axis; a plunger that is at least partially received into the inner chamber of the retainer plug, wherein the plunger translates along the longitudinal axis during a shifting event; a select spring received in the inner chamber; and a reverse spring received in the inner chamber; a retainer plug having an inner chamber that defines a longitudinal axis; a plunger that is at least partially received into the inner chamber of the retainer plug, wherein the plunger translates along the longitudinal axis during a shifting event; a select spring received in the inner chamber; and a reverse spring received in the inner chamber; characterized by the ball plunger actuator assembly further comprising: a cam body having a select cam that provides a first engagement surface and a reverse detent protrusion; wherein the ball plunger actuator assembly and the cam body cooperate to provide a dual stage load such that a first load is provided during interaction of the plunger and the select cam at the first engagement surface and a second load, greater than the first load, is provided during interaction of the plunger and the reverse detent protrusion, wherein (i) during the first load the select spring is compressed and the plunger translates into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a first distance, and (ii) during the second load the select spring and the reverse spring are both compressed and the plunger translates further into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a second distance; wherein the inner chamber of the retainer plug defines a first chamber portion having a first inner diameter and a second chamber portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; wherein the reverse spring is disposed in the first diameter of the inner chamber between a washer and a cap; wherein the cap is treadably received by the retainer plug; wherein the select spring is disposed in both of the first and second chamber portions (110, 116); and wherein the select spring is received by the reverse spring in a coaxial position and acts against the cap and the plunger. a cam body having a select cam that provides a first engagement surface and a reverse detent protrusion; wherein the ball plunger actuator assembly and the cam body cooperate to provide a dual stage load such that a first load is provided during interaction of the plunger and the select cam at the first engagement surface and a second load, greater than the first load, is provided during interaction of the plunger and the reverse detent protrusion, wherein (i) during the first load the select spring is compressed and the plunger translates into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a first distance, and (ii) during the second load the select spring and the reverse spring are both compressed and the plunger translates further into the retainer plug along the longitudinal axis a second distance; wherein the inner chamber of the retainer plug defines a first chamber portion having a first inner diameter and a second chamber portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; wherein the reverse spring is disposed in the first diameter of the inner chamber between a washer and a cap; wherein the cap is treadably received by the retainer plug; wherein the select spring is disposed in both of the first and second chamber portions (110, 116); and wherein the select spring is received by the reverse spring in a coaxial position and acts against the cap and the plunger.