Probably 50s: there is a reflective globe hovering over a crater. A net attached to a crane has been thrown over the globe, which refuses to budge from where it’s hovering. I don’t know if this was a movie or TV show. This is an extremely vague memory. Thanks!
Sure it was a crater and not maybe a sport place like a baseball stadium? I don’t know where that memory came from either but your scenario did sound familiar.
It sounds like Starman, but with no crane. And in color. And 30 years too late.
Did it look like this from Flight of the Navigator?
Similar look. Mine was from 50s, maybe early 60s and, IIRC, the orb was relatively small.
Sounds like this story
(The story is “The Cricket Ball” by Avro Manhattan)
The crane and ball are similar, but I’m pretty sure mine was suspended in the air, and they were unable to move it.