Dear Yeshivaguy,
My comment about the value of sports includes being a spectator at the event itself. Many non Torah aspects of life have value, whether it be spiritual, aesthetic, monetary, or utilitarian. Sports, both playing and observing is one of them. To say that sports is “hevel” is an individual opinion, and one may disagree without any disrespect, and many do . To each his own.
Unfortunately, you chose the easy way out of this discussion, bringing circular proofs from roshei yeshiva claiming that all must agree with everything they say because they are roshei yeshiva. The merits of the different opinions in this discussion were ignored.
I am an old man with enough life experience that these claims do not impress me anymore. I request that when debating a point, that I be given concrete arguments that I can evaluate and respond to. If someone, even a Rosh Yeshiva,has an opinion and I disagree, let the best argument win.
I maintain that sports is neither “hevel” nor inane (without value). A portrait by Rembrandt, a Beethoven symphony, and a baseball hit off the bat of Ted Williams all have value to many people. As I said, to deny the validity of this expresses ignorance rather than wisdom.