Go for it. I will post my opinion later.
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Passion for the game. Don't have it, nothing else matters.
6th tool and the ability to ask questions.
Bob
Interesting subject, TPM!
I'd have to say "drive of single mindedness".
Seems to me that sons' "drive" made him competitive, committed to his work ethic, his spirit to learn, his spirit to be teachable/coachable, his ability to adjust to the game & lifestyle changes (whether HS, college or pro's)...His whole life, he's been single mindedly "a ballplayer". And, I see that drive of single mindedness continuing...forever, in whatever endeavor comes his way.
The question is open to a little bit of interpretation but I'll go with the following....
Never being satisfied and knowing you can get better. I see this in all of the best athletes in all sports, and in the real world.
fenwaysouth posted:The question is open to a little bit of interpretation but I'll go with the following....
Never being satisfied and knowing you can get better. I see this in all of the best athletes in all sports, and in the real world.
While I was hung up on trying to come up with a single trait since the OP requested a single thing...
I was going to say the player enjoys the grind (or the process) which is basically what you listed, IMO.
Throws 103
Mental composure
attitude
Perseverance
Heart for the game. Then I will add the caveat that, to me, "heart" for the game includes or drives a lot of the traits listed above: passion, striving to always get better, grinding, 6th tool, attitude, composure, etc. So I guess I'm cheating with my answer. 
The uncanny ability to translate what you've learned to actual game situations. Doing it in practice is fine but consistently doing it in a game, when it matters, it what separates good from great..IMHO.
Back Squat to Power Clean ratio. Is that a trait?
Okay, just kidding. Real answer - attitude. Like MomLW above, what I consider attitude incorporates some of the above responses - perserverance, mental toughness, composure, etc.
All of the good stuff above and below is crucial, but it's not going to help in the end if you don't start with good genes. Genes for reaction time, good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, size, strength, speed, quick twitch, etc.
Athleticism is top of the list for me. You can have all that's been mention here previously, but if the player doesn't have athleticism, what do you have?
PS: JCG, looks like we're thinking along the same line.
Coachability
Ability to focus, while under pressure.
Gov posted:Perseverance
In a game of failure, you need the drive to push forward when things don't go your way.
His ability to make his teammates better.
I'll echo Inland Empire and say coachability.
It all starts with talent. Then ...
- work ethic ... At the college and pro level the player has to want it more than everyone else
- mental composure ... Has to be capable of handling the pressure of the competition just to get on the field
- instincts ... Some players just happen to always be in the right place at the right time (Jeter versus the A's. He had no reason to be there)
work ethic
No one trait will do it.
competitive fire
having a parent on HSBBW? . Hand Eye coordination
Go44dad posted:No one trait will do it.
Agreed. I'd have to go with two: athleticism + competitive fire (a/k/a attitude, perseverance, work ethic, passion). I'm sorry, one without the other will not make an outstanding player.
All of the above are excellent and rather than repeat what has been said...
A player has to hate to lose more than he loves to win, and be willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win.
Plain old fashion talent.
TPM posted:Go for it. I will post my opinion later.
Talent. If you don't have that, all of the other intangibles, smarts, etc. simply don't matter.
It's God given.
I'm going to have to agree with all of the above. But, I have a big respect for those with perseverance. This is the only game played where you can do everything right and still not be successful (hit 3 ropes right at someone, throw good pitches that get chinked in for a hit, etc.) There is a fine line between putting the negatives of the game behind you and being a loser that it doesn't bother at all. I'm 49 years old and still live and breathe every pitch, at bat, game that my kids play. I am the worst loser you've ever met (not cussing and throwing stuff but staying up thinking what I should have done different). One of my kids is good at leaving at the field, the other is a nutcase sometimes like his dad.
Gov posted:Perseverance
I was going to say stubbornness, but I think it's the same thing.
I have to agree that there are 2 things you'll almost always find in every great player. Talent and competitiveness. I think most of the greatest ball players poses these 2 traits the most. The competitive drive to be the best every practice, every rep. And the talent to compete. They few guys I've coached that ended up being great players had both of these traits. Bo Jackson may be one of the biggest exceptions to this theory!
All of the above. It is impossible to reach the top with only one trait, even talent alone is not enough.
One thing that stands out to me and I think it is a natural ability, is the "feel" for the game. Sure players can improve in this area, but some just never get it completely. That's why we see so many mistakes made even in the Big Leagues.
To me it is something that separates players when all else seems to be close.
rynoattack posted:TPM posted:Go for it. I will post my opinion later.
Talent. If you don't have that, all of the other intangibles, smarts, etc. simply don't matter.
I agree. Maybe I misunderstood but I thought that the player having talent was already baked into this question since the player is already described as outstanding. I interpreted that to mean that the tools were present already.
Another thing that people often overlook is LUCK. I know it's not a trait like work ethic, persistence, etc. But don't ever believe luck doesn't count.
Agree - Luck comes to those that are prepared to take advantage of the opportunity.
(besides the Lotto winner)
GOV,
Actually I know of many cases where bad luck has happened to those that are prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. Being blocked, organizational decisions, getting injured, other health issues, etc. All the way to what happened to one of the kids that I liked the most - Nick Adenhart!
PGStaff posted:GOV,
Actually I know of many cases where bad luck has happened to those that are prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. Being blocked, organizational decisions, getting injured, other health issues, etc. All the way to what happened to one of the kids that I liked the most - Nick Adenhart!
Agreed! I think it was pure luck for Aaron Rogers to end up in GB where he didn't have the pressure to play early and ended up on a good team, etc....and the rest is history.
Good example. And kind of unlucky that Johnnie Football never seemed to grow up.