Anyone have success with it in cash games? or only tourneys?

Depends on how you define "Small Ball" but it is proly the best way to play the NL ring games where the long ball early big moves aint very often a good play with deep stacks and static blinds.

Am I missing something?

taking down uncontested small pots on a consistent basis is the key to short handed games

FYP

i find it key in full ring as well. It can easily make the difference between a winning and losing player.

ya long ball will only work in cash if you have someone coolered or they are just plain bad.

addition

The one thing I tend to do when playing small ball in a cash game is to get carried away.

Just as important as taking down small pots is not losing a lot of money on a small pot.

Also it is much easier to do in passive games, i find it is very difficult in practice in super aggressive laggy games.