the ball is $($are$)$:

a downward force of gravity along with a steadily decreasing upward force.

an almost constant downward force of gravity along with an upward force that steadily decreases until the ball reaches its highest point; on the way down there is only a constant downward force of gravity.

an almost constant downward force of gravity only.

none of the above. The ball falls back to ground because of its natural tendency to rest on the surface of the earth.