This weekend I coached in the double header vs. Maine at SNHU. Both of our starting pitchers would eventually tell me that they were done after an inning was over. Both said something like "I'm done after this inning" or "I've got one more inning then I'm done"

This was ok with me as we had a strong bullpen and didn't want to risk anything in this exhibition, but it did seem strange to me. This summer I was a volunteer assistant with a 14 year old team and some of the pitchers would lie to us to stay in the game when it was clear they were sore or had nothing left.

Could there be a mental impact from things going on in the big leagues with pitch counts, "joba rules", and specialized pitching? Or are these guys mature enough to know when is enough for them? Are the pitchers getting smarter with respect to taking care of their arm or are they becoming softer and less competitive? Any thoughts?

I believe once they know they're headed for college ball they become overly protective of their arms. Others might call is soft. It could also be a strategy if they're being watched by scouts. If it's gone well, get out before it goes bad.

I think it's more a fall ball thing.

Could it be that the "season" has gone on for a long time and the weather has changed quite a bit? I know for most the season began in early April with HS and if you do the math and carry forward you're talking 7 months. I know it was a decent day for the DH with Maine but these kids have been out there a long time. How many of these kids are playing a second sport right now?

Both Nick Poore and Kevin McGowan do not play fall sports they are both strictly baseball players in the fall, this is what they focus their efforts on that and school and knowing these two I would say you can add ladies to areas they focus their energy.

I'm sure that they were being careful and only wanted to "show" at their optimum level. They also knew they had arms behind them that wanted to "show" as well so why not err on the side of caution. Smart move by both of them.