I am doing middle school softball and we are having a game and i am catcher, but i don't always catch the ball if the batter misses it(we use a pitching machine) whats going to happen in the game if i dont catch the ball(which i probably wont the first few times)?

will i get in trouble?

If depends where the ball goes after you drop it.

If you drop it and it rolls away, the runners have the option of advancing to the next base. If you drop it and it just rolls in front of you, the runners can still advance, but they will most likely not try to because you have a better chance of throwing them out. If they do run on a ball that is right in front of you, and you think that you have a good shot at throwing them out, go ahead and fire it down to the base the runner is trying to go to.

If the batter swings and misses and it is a third strike, make sure to either tag the runner or throw down to first base to get the runner out. Not all baseball/softball leagues play with this rule, but you should ask your coach if this rule is in effect because it is pretty important.

Just keep your eye on the ball and position your glove where you think the ball will be. Try not to close your eyes at the last second. You will get better with practice. Good luck!

the runners could advance

also if it is a 3rd strike and u drop the ball then remember to tag out the batter or throw it to first to make sure u get him out. Rules are that if the catcher drops the 3rd strike then it is like the batter hit it.

If runners are on base the will get to advance to the next base. Sometimes machine pitch has the rule of only one stolen base per pitch.

Will you get in trouble? I coach fastpitch softball myself. When a player makes an error, I make a note of it in my notebook. At the next practice, I look at the notebook to determine what we need to work on. I then teach the girls how to do it right. I look at it this way. If a player messes up, it's my fault for not teaching them enough. If you get in trouble by your coach, I wouldn't worry about it. He is not a good coach. A coach should teach you, not yell at you.