[U of M Sam]

It sounds like "things worked out" as described in the OP. Maybe "Forest Ump" was lucky. I choose to NOT ask players (at any age level) questions that could "help" me make the right call. Situation tonight: I am PU. Left handed batter. I see (and hear) the pitch hit the knob of the bat (inside pitch that batter was attempting to avoid). Ball goes foul. I call "foul ball". Batter immediately says to me "the ball hit my arm first". I say nothing to the batter and consult with the BU who confirms pitch hit bat and not batters arm. Game continued.
Simply enough IMO: Call what you see and not what you think (at any age level of ball).
Sam