softball - little league minor girls

Question
If a batter hits a ground ball that initially hits in foul territory between home and 1st base and before it reaches 1st base it rolls into fair territory where the 1st baseman fields the ball and tags the runner who is off base or tags the base before the runner reaches 1st, is it fair or foul.  I ruled the ball fair and called the runner out.  Former umpires in the stands said it had to hit fair, then could go foul and back in to be fair.  As soon as the ball had entered fair territory and was fielded, I gave the extended hand sign toward fair territory with no verbal call of fair or foul.  The coaches were yelling what is the call.  Later I told them I only verbalize foul and don't call "fair" and just use the arm signal as calling "fair" could be misunderstood by a fielder as having said "foul".
The big question,  it it a fair or foul ball.
That was only my 3rd game behind the plate and I wish to be a responsible umpire.  The girls are a pleasure to officiate.

Answer
Hi Harold,

is it fair or foul?  fair

On batted balls between home and 1st or 3rd and on balls in flight if the ball is on or over fair territory when 1st touched it is a fair ball.

Likewise if the ball is on or over foul territory when 1st touched it is a foul ball.

Former umpires in the stands said it had to hit fair, then could go foul and back in to be fair. Well it's a good thing they're former umpires

As soon as the ball had entered fair territory and was fielded, I gave the extended hand sign toward fair territory with no verbal call of fair or foul.  Correct

Later I told them I only verbalize foul and don't call "fair" and just use the arm signal as calling "fair" could be misunderstood by a fielder as having said "foul".  correct

That was only my 3rd game behind the plate and I wish to be a responsible umpire.  very nice job on this play, correct in every detail

mark