I cheer any parent who cares enough for his kid to spend time with him and discipline him if needed. No, I would never ever advocate disciplining a kid for dropping a ball, but we don't know if that was the cause. Do you believe that there is never a case where corporal punishment is in the best interest of a child?
Yes, there is never a case where corporal punishment is in the best interest of a child (with the exception of the severly deranged who self-multilate in those rare, exceptional cases certain physical punishments that inflict pain have been shown to make a difference).