Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 01:41:20 -0500 (EST)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Playing Ball on Shabbos

QUESTION:
<  <  As long as one is within an Eruv, it's permitted to play with a ball on
Shabbos. In addition, one shouldn't play on the ground, rather a paved
surface, and also not use a ball that has to be inflated and then tied. (As
a general rule, adults (boys thirteen and girls twelve) should refrain from
playing games or sports on Shabbos, even those which technically don't
violate any Shabbos prohibitions)>  >

ANSWER:
Actually even inside a walled area SOME ball games require RUNNING. It is
rabinically prohibited to RUN or WALK IN A VIGOROUS manner on Sabbath
(except that it is permitted to run to Synagogue). This Rabbinic
prohibition is derived from Isa 58:13 "If you will withdraw from Sabbath
your footsteps, doing your needs on Sabbath"--the idea of not running
hurriedly on Sabbath is consistent with the Sabbath spirit that everything
is completed and you needn't do any more work.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; Math; Towson University
Moderator Rashi Is Simple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/