The ex-referee commentator on TV said it was a "judgement call." I think the only "judgement" involved is whether or not the bat was intentional. The commentator went on to say if it had been him he would have taken into account which way the ball was bouncing at the time, i.e., if it was heading out of bounds on its own, he wouldn't have called it. That, to me, is absurd. If it's an intentional bat, then it's a penalty plain and simple.
So if a D lineman is headed left and I grab his facemark and help him speed up, then its not a facemask?
I like that caveat.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.