Because very few of us are actually herpetologists on this board. There is only one here that I know for sure is. Very few of us have traveled the world and I would say that no one on this board that I know of has hunted balls in their home territory. It is all we have. I agree to never take people's word at face value, but when it matches other observations the chances of it being factual are much higher.
I do not doubt that this account is true. I also believe it is one person's account and it is just part of the story.
Besides, this information came from Red which adds weight to its validity. She has consistently proved herself to be an experienced, rational, thinking human being and tends to be able to call bull when she sees it.