Hello Sue,
Thanks for your post. As a pitching coach, I see both sides of the issues.
As you probably know, one of the biggest issues in today's fastpitch... is that not enough catchers have been properly trained to "receive the ball and frame the catch" Not catch the ball and move the glove... ugh
Let alone... have a clue how to call pitches... other than guessing.
But that is the same problem with youth softball coaches... even paid coaches are not properly trained how to call pitches.
As the more advanced (trained) catchers progress up to the higher play levels... they have LEARNED what pitches worked and why... and should be able to call pitches!
However, no catcher should EVER be forced to call pitches... if they are uncomfortable. They should want to learn "how to call pitches".
Even though the catcher might be fully trained on how to call pitches... some coaches will never allow them to do so... and no one will never convince them otherwise because these coaches know everything - just ask them
Every coach and every catcher is different.
In college, there is usually a coach that calls pitches... mostly because they have all the batter's hitting and scouting data in their hands for every batter.
Based on my experienced... If a team has done their "due diligence" and fully scouted the opposition... then the coach should call the games.
If there is no scouting information, and the catcher knows how "receive and frame" the ball... and also understands how to call pitches, then the catcher should be allowed to call pitches.