Why Do you call it the hat-trick?.. anyway... Let your little guy get used to his new enviroment before feeding.. If he is truly starving he might eat in a couple of days (prior to a week).. I honestly belive that whoever says to use tongs doesnt truly do it them selves and it really is a useless method unlesss your a big sissy about getting bit (hehe).. If your feeding frozen just give that guy a little wiggle by holdin his tail infront of ur snake.. It always seems to work and mr python might just nip at it first.. Once he nips it u can drop the mouse infront of him (Tricking the snake into thinkin that a nip killed the mouse).. If hes hungry he might put his mouth on the mouses head and begin to chow.. Usualy a ball wont bite you unless you make fast movements and it is unfamilair with your scent.. After you start handlin your snake and it becomes tame you will begin to notice the nipping stops (Unless ur feeding).. But to answer your question, getting bit by a ball isnt that bad.. Wont bleed unless he gets u pretty good and hes at average sized.. I myself have never bled by a ball bite..