innocent remark

[just another ref]

Friday night VB games, 2 very quick athletic teams, but one was a lot bigger and better than the other. The better team jumped out by 10 early, and steadily pulled away. Both teams did quite a bit of pressing, so even though this was a small gym, partner and I were spread out quite a bit.
Just before the half there was a steal at midcourt. I was lead at about the FT line. To be honest I probably did not bust my butt to get back into this particular play, so as they finished their 3 on 1 break I was still several feet in the backcourt. I think the kid that scored on this play had dunking the ball on his mind, but instead kinda finger-rolled it into the basket. But in doing so he also took 2 big showboat type steps which I felt easily could have been called a travel. During the break I remarked about this to my partner, saying I might have called it had I been less than 50 feet away. He bristled up, and though he didn't say so, I think he thought I was criticizing him for not making the call. This was absolutely not my intention and I said so, backtracking even further saying it was my call as much or more than his and I was probably out of position.
He seemed unaffected by my apology, and said that I should have either called it or not mentioned it. I let it drop.

2 questions: Was this remark inappropriate or was my partner too sensitive? Does everybody else have any limit on distance when making any call, and traveling in particular? I believe I read a comment on one of the boards where someone said there should be an official sitting in a chair at midcourt just to call travels. I think I know what he meant by that, as I have told people I felt like I could call a travel from the parking lot.
Opinions, please.