The Batter Walks During a Stolen Base

When a baserunner attempts to steal during a pitch, and the result of that pitch is a walk¹, then what happens next depends on the traditional “force” rules in play at the time. The batter takes first base, and any other baserunners who are forced to move up will do so; that movement eliminates any stolen base attempts that were underway on the pitch. However, if a non-forced runner is stealing a base, that play is still active, and the defense can attempt to get that runner out.

So, for example, say there is a runner on first, who attempts to steal on ball four. The walk forces the runner to second anyway, so the stolen base attempt is wiped out. But— say there is a runner on second, with first base empty. The runner takes off on ball four; since they are not forced to move because of the walk, the steal attempt still counts, and the defense can try for the out at third. If they get that out, then as long as it’s not the third out, the inning continues with a runner on base. If it’s the third out, the inning ends.