Pitching is almost always the dominant aspect of competitive softball. Pitchers throw fastballs, risers, drops, curves and changeups and can do it from a variety of motions. The most effective pitchers will force the hitter to guess at what is coming next and the hitters will be somewhat uncomfortable because good pitchers will vary their patterns on what pitch they will throw and how they will throw it.
Windmill Technique
The windmill technique is used by the vast majority of competitive softball pitchers. With this delivery, the pitcher will make a full circle with her arm before delivering the ball to home plate. This is a great power delivery and will help the pitcher get the maximum velocity on her pitches and means the batter must be prepared to hit an excellent fastball. Since the batter knows she will need to be looking for a fastball, she will be vulnerable drops, curves and changes of pace that come in slower.
Submarine Technique
This delivery is often quite effective later in games when the batter has gotten used to seeing the windmill. Instead of bringing the shoulder around in a full circle, the pitcher brings the ball back to shoulder-blade level, steps forward and delivers the ball. This can be difficult for the hitter to adjust to because the pitcher will still take a jump step with her lead leg but will not bring the ball around. This delivery is effective for fastballs and other pitches with excellent velocity because the ball will be on the hitter before the batter realizes that the pitcher has unleashed the pitch.
Delayed Arm Technique
This delivery has been known to confound batters, coaches and some umpires. With this technique, the pitcher stands on the pitching rubber as if she is going to deliver a windmill-style pitch. As she brings her arm back, she is doing this at normal speed. When she comes forward on the first part of her circle, she slows down perceptibly. Then when her arm is at midthigh level, she picks up seed again. This is legal because the pitching motion does not stop or reverse. It slows down in midpitch but technique remains continuous. This can be quite confusing to many batters.
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