Judging a "judgement" call

[Eastshire]

This thread needs to quit happening in my games.

Last night, my partner was administering a sideline throw-in in the front court as trail. The throw-in pass was made and had bounced in the middle of the floor when he blew his whistle for a violation. I was a little confused because there was no one near the ball at the time but decided the thrower must have stepped on the line and the whistle was a little late.

As I'm collecting the ball, the coach says "The ball was in the air." To which my partner replied from across the court "It has to be touched within 5 seconds." So I go to confer with him and explain that it's released in 5 not touched in 5 but he's adamant his call is correct.

The worst part is that in the locker room after the game, he asks the varsity crew while I'm looking up the rule and all three of them agreed with him. They were shocked when I showed them the rule.