I think bloods get a bad name from nippy babies, and that wild caught ones are more "aggressive" for obvious reasons. My albino Sumatran is a sweetheart, and though my Sumatran short tail went through a drama queen stage of striking and lunging with some more work I put into her she's really turning around. I don't think anyone should write off any species totally unless they've worked/handled some before, since some individuals can surprise you and really change your mind about the general consensus of the species. Though of course if you don't like this particular species for this or that that's not wrong either: I don't care for Annie's faces but I still think they're nice animalsAnd though I read that Hog noses and sand boas make for wonderful pets I have no intention of ever owning them, simply because I have other interests elsewhere.
As for balls, I adore them and all mine are strictly pets right now, and that's fine by me (Heck, almost ALL of my snakes right now will be forever pets!). Though I have to say I love variety, and that's why I have many different species right now.