The game being described in Rashi says that one would throw the ball against the wall as hard as possible so that it will bounce back as far as possible. When the thrower releases the ball is it at a direct "flat" trajectory toward the wall? If so why does the distance from the wall of the individual hit matter, meaning it could have had potential to go much farther but he "just happen" to be standing in the way of the ball. That doesn't change the kavanah of the thrower at all so what is the basis for distinguishing closer than 4 amot and farther than 4 amot based on how the game is supposed to go? Also why "4 amot", or is that just specific to the game?
Shimshon Jacob, RBSA, Israel
It is not necessarily a direct flat trajectory, but the point is that the people who throw the ball against the wall want the ball to rebound a long way because that shows that the player has a powerful throw. He was warned that it is dangerous to throw the ball against the wall because it might bounce back and kill somebody. He did not have intenti to kill, but since he has been informed that throwing the ball might be lethal, if it does actually kill someone he must go to Galus.
If the person killed was standing less than four Amos from the wall, the thrower is Patur because the player wanted the ball to bounce back more than four Amos to show everyone he is a powerful thrower. The intent of the thrower was that the ball should bounce back a long way. If it bounces more than four Amos that is considered a strong throw but less than four Amos is called a weak throw.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom