Thanks for the replies. Very helpful.
CoachJM: Yes, I made my description after the manner that I would have explained my call to a manager, if asked: "Rob, I judged that he had the ball securely in his glove." Only the readers on this board know why I made that judgement, and most who responded seem to back my way of thinking.
This is no slight to SAUmp. I can also respect, "Dick, I cannot judge that a ball touching the ground is held securely in the glove."
Of course, that explanation is longer, doesn't get an out, and fails to reward F3 for a very nice stretch and dig.
-LilLeaguer