Pitching not only entails throwing the ball, but making sure you have good fielding skills as well. This is because once the ball is pitched it just might be hit back at you.

Click on this link to read a good article on exactly what the responsibilities of the softball pitching position is all about and it will surly help your game on the mound.

It's important for the pitchers to know how to properly field the ball and the article below explores how a pitcher can be a successful fielder as well.

Once the pitch is delivered, pitchers must prepare to function as another infielder. They quickly assume a well-balanced position with the glove out in front of the body, the fingers up, and the pocket open toward the batter. A pitcher’s defensive ability (fielding and throwing) will determine her defensive assignments. If the pitcher is an excellent fielder, the coach may want her to play every ball that she can easily reach. If she is less skilled than the first and third basemen, she may be limited to backing them up and fielding only balls hit directly to her. The pitcher should know where the infielders are playing and be careful not to deflect balls that are clearly another fielder’s responsibility. Making an out on a deflected ball is extremely difficult.

Pitchers must often field slow rollers and push bunts toward second base. Because the pitcher is running toward first, and underhand throw is the safest, the easiest to see, and the most accurate. The pitcher should field the ball with two hands when possible to make sure she catches it. For maximum reach she may need to reach with only the glove and then quickly bring the hands together to get a grip for throwing. She should lock the elbow and wrist and straight-arm the ball to the first baseman. The pitcher uses the same technique on suicide bunts for the throw home, concentrating on keeping the toss low for the tag.

Pop-Ups

The general rule is that the pitcher catches any ball within the pitcher’s circle or any popped-up bunts that aren’t airborne long enough for the corners to reach. On pop-ups to the other players, the pitcher can provide valuable assistance about the direction of the ball (up, back, first, third) and warn of obstacles and fences. The pitcher may need to cover the base of the fielder catching the ball.

Backing Up

The pitcher must back up all throws to the catcher from the outfield. When the play will be on the lead runner going to third, she should back up third base. If it is not clear where the play will be, the pitcher first runs across the foul line midway between third and home and then looks for the play before deciding where to go. The normal backup position is 15 feet behind the receiver. Occasionally, a base is left uncovered. This can happen when two players are going after a fly ball. The pitcher must look for any vacated base and quickly move to cover it. She should also be prepared to back up or participate in rundowns.

On a wild pitch or passed ball with a runner on third, the pitcher must cover home. As the catcher chases the ball, the pitcher continuously calls the catcher’s name and waves her arms until the ball is released. The pitcher assumes a foot position at home that protects her legs from being taken out on a slide and gives the runner a corner to go to. She bends the knees, lowers the hips, and establishes a balanced position to apply the tag.

Checking Runners

The pitcher must be aware of all runners on base and consider them always a threat to advance. As soon as she receives the ball in the circle, the pitcher checks the position of the runners, lead runner first. The pitcher should understand the look-back rule and use it to her advantage. When the pitcher has the ball in the circle and has caused the runner to stop after rounding a base, the runner must immediately advance or return to the base. The runner cannot delay, fake, or reverse direction. Once the runner returns to the base, she cannot leave again as long as the pitcher holds the ball. Proper understanding and use of the rule stops runners from advancing and takes the pressure off the defense.

Above Text was taken from the book "Softball Skills & Drills" by Judi Garman