I like usin cut at the muzzle also.
And I remember that same quandry. Nope, cain't pull the ball an patch back,don't work,if ya pull too hard then yer right back where ya started.
Cedar is purtty,but a might soft. Sum fellers just use the hardwood handle of their knife,ya know like a flat slapper type thing ta drive it,and then be carefull bout' cuttin. Don't wanna shave the ball! Not that I have ever done that!!
If ya got onna them store bought starters,that got a round ball for a handle,then just use the side of the wood ball to start.
Or take that brass starter thingy upside a bench grinder and take some off it. Just a little at a time cause ya cain't ungrind it! Leave just a little bit of the brass extruding.
There is grand debate to date, of the excess cloth beyond the seated ball.
From what I seen, a little extra cloth don't matter,as long as a feller does it the same each time.
Keep it Fun,and keep on learnin! Ask Mama,she'll tell ya,honest.