If you shoot portraits you might want to mount your camera on different tripods in the store and try it. I shoot a lot and a ballhead has too many directions to move. So you should see for yourself what you actually prefer.
Certainly for height, a crank is very helpful. All the subject has to do is lean forward and the eyes are on the wrong plane.
Just my experience. Buying without trying is to me not a wise move. For outdoors, ball heads are great and so os Really Right Stuff. I have bought a lot from them and I hear only great things about their ballheads, although I don't own one.
You can't, however, buy something for as intimate a process a portrait photography by simply getting someone else's opinion, especially if that's not what they usually do!
Hand cranks can be as smooth as silk!
Asher