The first thing to remember when pitching slow pitch softball is that it is a hitter's game. Unlike baseball or fast pitch softball, no matter how well you pitch, batters are likely to get a lot of hits off you. Relax, have fun, and don't get too upset when the softballs start flying.
Throw Strikes
This may seem obvious, but even professional pitchers seem to forget to do this in the heat of the game. Don't make it easier on batters by giving them a free pass. If you fall behind in the count, go ahead and "groove" one. Even balls hit extremely hard are often caught. Use your defense. Don't get "cute" and try to strike everybody out--it rarely happens in slow pitch softball.
Find a Consistent Pitching Motion
If you are struggling with your control, mid-game is not the time to start tinkering with your pitching motion. A good pitcher will have a consistent throwing motion. Find one that works for you and practice it until the motion becomes second nature. The line "don't think, just throw," from the baseball movie "Bull Durham," is good advice for softball pitchers too.
Loose Grip
Pitchers have a tendency to strengthen their grip on the ball when they are struggling to throw strikes. Try to resist this urge. Though it seems counter-intuitive, a hard grip on the ball actually decreases your control by causing you to pitch with too much thumb pressure. Grip the ball loosely and at release allow it to roll off your fingers.
Maximize Your Arc
Most leagues have a maximum allowed arc for pitches. Learn to use every bit of it you can. Most batters love a flat or low arcing pitch. Flat pitches are easier to hit because they are predictable in height and spend a lot of time in the hitting zone. A high arcing pitch, however, spends significantly less time in the hitting zone and is harder to judge because of its sudden drop near the plate.
Protect Yourself
Unless their league uses a protective pitching screen, line drives up the middle are most pitchers' worst nightmare. With a hard ball up the middle, you will have less than half of a second to react. The best way to protect yourself is to back up as far as you can after releasing the pitch and then get yourself into a good fielding position. This will give you the best chance at either making a play on, or at least protecting yourself from, the dreaded hit back through the box.
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