Continuing to 2B on ball four

Question
A two part question actually. First part, on ball 4 to the batter the catcher returns the ball to the pitcher. The batter now instead of stopping at 1B continues to 2B becauce there is also a runner on 3B hoping a throw acures to 2B so that she could score from 3B. Even though the pitcher is still in the circle on the mound and standing on the rubber that player at bat still can continue?
Second part of the question is there away to defend this play if your the defensive team?

Answer
There is absolutely nothing wrong with continuing to 2nd on a walk.  Even if the ball is in the circle.

At the younger levels, you have a choice.  Get the runner and allow the run, or give up second base.

At higher levels where you are confident in your girls ability to make the uncommon plays under pressure.  One is to have the catcher throw the ball to 1st.  If the runner on 3rd breaks for home, throw her out.  If the she doesn't you have stopped the runner at first, until she steals on the next pitch.

Another play requires a little bit of pactice.  Once the runner rounds first, have the pitcher throw the ball to the second basemen that has been cheating in from her normal postion.  If the runner on third breaks, you have the play at home, if you don't she can tag the runner out quickly if you have timed it right, then make the play at home.  If she misses the first tag attempt on the runner, she needs to give up on her and throw home.

If you have a real burner on third, in a close game I would just give up second.