Rising fastball

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by SAump

Can a pitcher then throw a "doctored" rising fastball? I pose the following situation.
The key is each catch, fly ball, line drive or grounder changes the shape of the ball.
The ball develops a flat spot, the catcher adds "ointment" from his new glove, the back stop adds a fence link indentation, etc.
All of a sudden the pitcher flares a rising fastball. Doesn't it seems probable?

The average lifespan of a major league baseball is about 6 pitches. That doesn't leave much time for much doctoring.