In baseball, the gap between good and great players often comes down to small, almost invisible details. Two players might have the same speed, strength, and raw ability, yet one consistently outperforms the other. What separates them isn’t always talent—it’s execution, awareness, and consistency in the little things that most people overlook. These subtle differences are what I like to call separators.
Why Talent Alone Isn’t Enough
It’s easy to assume that the player with the stronger arm, quicker sprint time, or harder swing will naturally be the better ballplayer. But baseball doesn’t always reward pure athleticism. The player with slightly less natural ability who understands the game, pays attention to detail, and maximizes every opportunity often comes out ahead.
At higher levels—high school, college, the minors, and the pros—everyone has talent. What sets players apart are the habits that don’t show up in a stat line: hitting the cutoff man, making accurate throws, anticipating plays, and staying mentally sharp in pressure situations.
How “Separators” Make the Difference
The concept of separators came to me while working with a group of talented young players. They could throw hard and make impressive plays, but I noticed many of their throws were off target—high over the first baseman’s head, bouncing in the dirt, or pulling teammates off the bag. Their arm strength was outstanding, but the inaccuracy canceled out the advantage.
The same issue showed up in cutoffs and relays. Instead of giving their receivers an easy, long hop or a clean throw in the air, they often short-hopped the ball. Those small mistakes led to extra bases and unnecessary runs. These weren’t problems of ability—they were problems of precision and focus. And that’s exactly what separators are about: doing the small things right, consistently.
The Higher You Climb, the Smaller the Margin
As players move up the baseball ladder, the competition gets tighter and the differences between players become microscopic. At the professional level, everyone can hit, field, and throw. What separates the consistent contributors from the rest is their attention to those fine details—their separators.
This idea applies to all sports. In sprinting, for example, the difference between qualifying for the Olympics and missing the cut is often hundredths of a second. At that level, perfection in the smallest areas—form, reaction, and rhythm—matters more than ever. Baseball is no different.
Building Good Habits Early
Separators don’t just appear overnight. They’re built through repetition, awareness, and a desire to get better. The earlier you start focusing on these elements, the stronger your foundation will be as you face tougher competition.
Many players make the mistake of thinking they’ll develop those habits later, once the game “matters more.” But by the time they reach higher levels, it’s often too late. Coaches and scouts notice players who already have those details mastered—the ones who make every throw count, who run the bases smartly, and who know the game inside and out.
Why Experience Makes Players Better with Age
You’ll often see players in their thirties performing better than they did in their twenties, even though their physical skills have declined. That improvement usually comes from mastering separators—understanding what really matters, cutting out wasted motion, and playing smarter instead of harder.
Developing separators doesn’t just improve your performance; it increases your consistency and longevity in the game. It’s what transforms raw talent into reliable excellence.
Final Thoughts
Success in baseball isn’t just about who throws the hardest or hits the farthest. It’s about who pays attention to the details—the separators that most players ignore. These small habits and adjustments are what ultimately give you a lasting edge over your competition.
If you want to stand out among players with equal ability, start mastering the little things now. They’re the difference between potential and performance, between good and great.
