runner returned to first after foul ball

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

If the runner attains the base before the time the pitcher starts his motion. He has legally acquired that base. The release of the pitch is non-relevant in this scenario.

The Time of the Pitch is not necessarily the time he starts his motion. In this case, the pitcher came to the Set Position prior to R1 attaining 2nd, but the TOP did not occur until he committed to home plate, which is why the runner got to stay at 2nd. Had it been the Windup Position, then the TOP would be when he started his motion, and R1 would have had to return to 1st.