There is a simple solution if you have PP, P5 or P6: load a ball prop go into the setup room, create a single bone for the ball save as a figure. After parenting whatever you need, turn off cast shaodow and turn invisable and save back to the figures library. I thought there was something already in the free stuff to do this but don't remember what it was called.

I must remember to remember what it was I had to remember.