First, a business analyst is a name that means different things to different companies. Some use “Business Analyst (BA)” and “Business System Analyst (BSA)” to describe the same job. When refering to a BSA, they have a stronger technical background.
You don't need to master a programming language, that is for programmers ... But, Some knowledge of software development and programming might help you as a business analyst ... I would look at SQL and Reporting Tools (ie: Crystal Reports). Study MS Office: Excel, Word, Visio, Access and PowerPoint for presentations.
You should at least know how a project gets started and progresses through the various phases towards implementation and support: Project Life Cycle (PLC) and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) ... There is also a product life cycle, that takes whatever was developed through being Obsolete.
You said: "ive been in the tech support game for about 8 years, mixed in with that i have experience in being a team leader".
So you already have stuff that other companies need ... and you could use that to get your foot in the door of another company ... make a deal saying that you want to be a BA ... but could assist the company with technical stuff too.
Don't try to learn everything at once before you apply to jobs ... or you will never get done and find a job ... technology is changing as I type this and when I get to work, there will probably be something new they want to try.
If being a BA turns out to be something you don't like ... you still have your Tech Support Career to fallback on.
http://www.modernanalyst.com/Careers/CareerForums/tabid/77/forumid/8/threadid/7570/scope/posts/Default.aspx