For all you youth coaches and players out there Please understand you do not hold a runner on third base.  This drives me bonkers, I actually coach kids from other teams while i am in the third base coaches box who are holding runners on.  I tell them not to do it and they say,  Why not?  The purpose of holding a runner on is to keep him from stealing, keep him close in case a ground ball is hit you can get the force at the next bag, and to give your outfielders a shot on a guy trying to advance an extra base (first to third) on a base hit.  So what is the problem with holding a runner on at third.  He isn’t going to steal home and if he does your pitcher and catcher can take care of that.  I wish I had a stat to prove how little home is swiped but I will tell you I have played or coached for 25 years and have not one time seen home plate swiped live, only on replays.  Also, on a ground ball the runner is going to score unless either the corners are in and it is hit to first or third, or the entire infield is in then he probably won’t go anyway.  On a base hit the runner is surely going to score.  So I beg you please teach your players that holding a runner on third base in not necessary.

The Cons of holding a runner on third, Everything.  You leave a huge hole for the hitter, you are not set and ready to field your position and unlike first base you have to field the ball clean and make a throw.  You actually cause confusion with the pitcher and there is a much better chance for a balk.

Third baseman please play your position and coaches please make sure your players are playing their positions.  You may think this is no big deal but it is, one it shows the player and the coach do not know what they are doing and two it leaves your defense vulnerable.  So field your position and if a guy steals home on you then so be it, you will save more runs with one back hand with a guy on second and third by playing off the bag then you will give up because a runner stole home in your entire career.