[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

“Why can’t the pitchers decide themselves what to throw? Why do they need to be told?”

The catcher is getting his instruction from the manager in the dugout as to which pitch to use. The manager decides the pitches, not the catcher. The pitcher has the option to change the call, much like a quarterback in football.

[precisionshootist]

"The catcher is getting his instruction from the manager in the dugout as to which pitch to use. The manager decides the pitches, not the catcher."

What? I think you are confused.

[precisionshootist]

I think you are referring to the manager sending in signs to the hitter, not the catcher.