Oh we all know you are learning. So am I. You never stop learning. The average person learns at LEAST one new thing every day. The things is whether you take that new knowledge and apply it.
But as far soaking. You never really need to soak a ball, unless they are having an issue with shedding. But even then, now mind you balls should have a water bowl that they get their in and submerge when needed, BPs will pretty much soak on their own when and if they need to. But you should start getting concerned when they constantly soak. That can be a sign of a few probs. To high of temps, mites, ticks and so forth. All of which are simple to treat.
But yes balls do get RIs, but as you said WHEN they are not properly taken care. Or if they by chance get exposed to it. My vet explained to me once that the bug that causes RI's in balls and boids, is basically the same that effects us when we get a cold or congested. And handling the snake when you are sick they can get it from you.
Ball pythons are labeled as "starter snakes". But highly disagree. Not saying they are for experts, but they are not as hardy, say as a rat snake. Balls can have a host of problems when not properly taken care of. For example, urine burn can occur when their cage is not cleaned as it should be. Fungus growth on the body when the cage is too moist or humid is another. There are too many to list. People write whole books and web pages on this stuff. In my opinion, you cannot buy a ball and just stick it in a cage and just let sit and look pretty, and expect everything to be hunky dory. I monitor my snakes temps, health, feces, cage cleanliness, humidity, shed, water cleanliness.... and so on and so on at least 2 or 3 times a day. I genuinely love and care for my snakes. I try and put myself in their place, and think what if that was me in there? Ya know? I keep my enclosure like I keep my own living space. Clean, sanitary and comfortable and accommodating. It's how I want to be treated, and live, so why not provide that for them when they cannot do it for themselves being they are in my care? Anyways, I don't want to look like I'm writing a book. I 100% fully admit I'm just a novice at this. And I probably wouldn't have been able to know all this and learn the husbandry for these creatures if it wasn't for my fellow herp enthusiast here.