walkers going straight to second

Question
theres a runner on third,and the batter just walked and has intentions on going straight to second base.the catcher gets the ball back to the pitcher before batter gets to first,so the runner on third has to go back to the bag,my question is,dose it matter if the pitcher is in the circle or on the rubber,to stop the batter from going straight to second,so runner on third doesn`t score

Answer
Hi Peter,

No, the LBR does not go into effect until the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle AND the b-r touches 1st base.  Now the b-r (B2) can legally round the base, may stop once and then immediately advance or withdraw.  The pitcher by rule cannot stop that option by being on the pp w/ the ball.

Of course once the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle and b-r touches 1st, R1 is also bound by the LBR and if no play is made on B2 they cannot leave 3rd if that is where they were when the LBR went into effect.

If F1 makes a play on B2 the LBR is no longer in effect and R1 can attempt to score.

Mark