LA Takes Steps to Repeal a Silly Law About Playing Catch
Los Angeles City Council Moves to Repeal Outdated Law Restricting Playing Catch
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to advance a motion aimed at repealing an antiquated law that restricts playing catch on certain residential streets and sidewalks. The measure, deemed “uncommonly silly” by council members, reflects a move towards modernizing city regulations.
In a decisive 14-0 vote, the council directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance to repeal Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.16. This section currently classifies playing catch or similar sports as punishable offenses, potentially resulting in fines up to $1,000 and jail time of up to six months.
The language of the law specifies, “No person shall play ball or any game of sport with a ball or football or throw, cast, shoot or discharge any stone, pellet, bullet, arrow or any other missile, in, over, across, along or upon any street or sidewalk or in any public park, except on those portions of said park set apart for such purposes.”
In a motion advocating for the repeal, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield highlighted the absurdity of the law. He noted, “In the City of Los Angeles, it is a crime, punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail, for a parent to play catch with their child on the sidewalk in front of their house, or for children to play a pickup game of football or kick a soccer ball around on any quiet residential street or even in many public parks.” He added, "This is an uncommonly silly law."
Blumenfield also pointed out that many of the activities described in the code, such as discharging a weapon, are already regulated by other laws. Believed to have been enacted in 1945, the law represents an outdated restriction on community recreation.
The proposed repeal signals a broader intention to foster more active and engaged communities across the city.
