base on balls stealing

Question
upon getting a base on balls (a walk) and the runner rounds 1st base towards second base while the pitcher is in the pitching circle with the ball. Does the runner have to advance to second?  If they return to 1st are they automatically out?

Answer
Hi Barney,

A b-r has the right to round 1st base, stop once, (some umpires use 1001,1002 although that's not in the book) and then immediately advance or retreat if the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle.  The LBR does not go into effect until the b-r touches 1st.

Mark