3-base penalty?

[Wynton]

I was just watching the Braves telecast when an announcer stated a rule I never heard of. The announcer noted that the catcher had used his equipment to pick up a ball in foul territory. He then proceeded to say that, if the ball had been in fair territory, it would be illegal to use your equipment (i.e., his mask) to touch the ball, and that the penalty would be THREE BASES.

Is this correct? Can anyone offer a fuller explanation of this?