[scarolinablue]

I had a similar sitch this year in a 4A first-round playoff game here in SC, and it provided me a lesson in slowing things down before rushing a call.

Bottom of the 8th, 1 out, R2, 2-2 count on the batter. F1 brings a high curveball, catcher raises up enough to mostly block my view of the check swing by the batter. In the heat of the moment, I reflex the "Did he go" to U2 who is in the "B". About the time the word "go" gets out of my mouth, I realize that I heard double contact (nick of the bat, ball into the glove) - like the OP sitch, didn't see it, but I heard it. About the time my man in "B" give the safe sign, I'm coming up waving it off and declaring the foul tip and punched the batter out. I know it looked terrible, but I know it was the right call, and had I just hesitated a second or two more, would have saved me the deserved "discussion" with the HC. He did accept my explanation after some discussion, and we moved on.

They ended up losing the game after giving up 7 in the top of the 9th. Major ignorant fan screams exiting the field (of the "you cost us the game" variety). I beat myself up for a week about the timing, or lack thereof, on the call. However, the team rebounded (each round of the playoffs here are double-elimination) and ended up winning the 4A state title in SC this season. The HC is a class guy and I was happy to see them win it all. And, I learned a lesson to keep things under control in the heat of a big game.