Baby ball not eating but looks hungry?

[DennisM]

all of the above. plus hitting the snake on the head (or anywhere else) with it's intended meal will get you nothing but a defensive snake that believes it's being attacked.

[Sp0rk]

all of the above. plus hitting the snake on the head (or anywhere else) with it's intended meal will get you nothing but a defensive snake that believes it's being attacked.

i know that's what got me really frustrated, now my dad feels bad because he thinks he screwed the feeding up... I feel like a lost cause :p

[AbsoluteApril]

now my dad feels bad because he thinks he screwed the feeding up...

Your dad was doing what works for colubrids (and a few other snakes), it just doesn't work for shy ball pythons. He shouldn't feel bad, he didn't know any better. You too! Don't feel bad. Just read and learn and ask questions (like you are). We were all new once and we've all (okay, most of us) have made mistakes at one point or another. You're on the right track and this is a great site for help.
Good luck with your new little one