[WindyCityBlue]

I was taught that you can only call what you see.
You can't assume that the ball would have landed fair, just like you can't assume that just because the ball beat the runner to the bag on a steal, that he is out...you still have to see the tag.

I know this doesn't help, but the defense caused you to lose your line of sight, you can't reward them for making your job impossible. While it is true that the ball MAY HAVE BEEN FAIR, the recation from those present told you otherwise.

There is a lot of good advice here on how to put off the coach or handle the barbs, but the fact is, they were probably right. With one umpire this is a brutal call to have to make, but you still have to see it. Truth be told, calling the ball foul would have brought out the offensive coach, to which you reply, "I could not see the ball hit fair, coach." He'll go haywire, but in the end, you can't call what you can't see.

I got hung on a ground rule double a few years back. I didn't see the ball bounce and signaled for a home run. Thank god, my partner was there to bail me out. I learned a lesson, that day, and I hope you can see where I'm coming from. Good luck!