I didn't realize fireball had a range of long. I was too lazy to go check a book, and I was under the impression it would be 25+5/level. I wasn't too worried about it, because ultimately the discussion is pointless. However, the only bits relevant were the first two lines. 4th level was a mistake, as I was too lazy to go check a character sheet. I was under the impression you wouldn't see the goblin because he was probably less than 6 inches out from the ground, sharing a square with a tree, and under a trap door which had been hidden.
My original post, though not explicitly stating you didn't see him, implicitly alluded to it, from this line right here.
... even if you had seen him...
Thus, at least from my standpoint, it was pretty clear you didn't see him and that the spell wouldn't go off. Based on my ultimate judgement, or something.
My elf comment was directed to the fact that elves get a free search roll if they go within 5' of a secret door. It was directed to the fact that if you want to try and see goblins popping up 60' away, you can make the check. I'm not going to ask for spot checks when people are doing other things, like in combat. I'll ask the person closest. if you want to make the check too, make it. I'll figure out if it was applicable or what the mods were later. Technically, you are entitled to them, but if I ask for a spot check,
you know something is up. Similarly, asking for search checks whenever you get into somewhere that might have a secret door in it, because then people won't advance til' they find one.