Stealing a Run

I first saw the "sleeper rabbit" play as a catcher in college during the early 1980ʼs. It wasn't a new play then. I later found out that it was a ploy used by the daring Ty Cobb on bases during his career (1900-1920). Here is how the play works.

Baserunners are on second and third. On the pitch, the runner on second base breaks for third as though it were a straight steal, even though the base is occupied. The runner stops three-fourths of the way to third base and begins to retreat back to second base with her own team yelling from the dugout "Get back! Get back!" This simply aids in selling the player. As the runner retreats back toward second base, the runner at third is slowly inching off the base toward home. Two things will generally happen when the catcher sees this play for the first time:
1) The catcher will attempt to throw out the runner going back to second base. As soon as the ball leaves the catcher's hand, the runner on second breaks for third and the runner on third breaks for home.
2) The catcher will run directly at the runner in between second and third base. She is doing exactly what many coaches teach in that situation - run directly at the runner who is hung up. As the catcher vacates the plate, the runner at third breaks for home behind her.

The play utilizes the element of surprise. It is most effective against a young, inexperienced catcher. But unless defensing the play has been covered in practice, even the veteran catcher is susceptible to making a mistake.

When do you use the play offensively?