Congrats on your descision to keep a BP.
Take a look at the care sheet here at ball-pythons.net its a pretty good one from N.E.R.D.
I would suggest what one experienced person at N.E.R.D.(New England Reptile Distributers) .suggested to me. And that is to get a well established BP wich is eating frozen thawed prey items readily. I feel this has helped me a great deal to enjoy my first snake without the trials of trying to switch him over from live to F/T, or get him eating in the first place.Ive thus been able to concentrate on his other husbandry needs and now that Im begining to feel more comfortable with them I may be able to take on a slightly bigger challenge in the future. This is just a suggestion of course and no matter where you get your new baby youve come to the right place to find answers to your questions.