I can agree with the intentions of the OP. Some people and a lot of care sheets tell new snake owners to never feed live. Hearing it enough, you can feel that "it's just the way it's suppose to be."

For example, I frequent another forum where if you mention that you feed live, you get the exact opposite reaction. All their care sheets say never feed live, it doesn't have any benefit to the snake. That having been the first forum I frequented, I started believing that. After joining here, I have realized that there can be a vast difference in a feeding preference for a ball and something else like a corn snake.

Personally, I hope to never have to feed live. All my snakes are fed f/t for my convenience and it has seemed to work out well for them. Aspiring to become a breeder, I don't think I'll be able to keep up this practice.

I will stick to my guns though when people argue that it's more natural to feed live in captivity. I cannot agree with that statement, sorry. I have no problems with people feeding live though, I don't feel I do any better by feeding f/t. I'll also say that feeding f/t doesn't necessarily change their feeding response either.