R1 Walking "Steal"

[bwbuddy]

I'll try my best to describe a situation that I saw at an ASA tourney 16U. The same team did this 3 times throughout the day.

R1, R3, no outs. After pitch leaves pitcher's hand, R1 begins walking (not running) towards 2B. The pitcher fakes a throw (from inside the circle), batter reverses direction and starts walking back to 1B. Pitcher fakes another throw, R1 reverses again, walking towards 2B. Pitcher finally throws ball, R3 breaks for home and makes it.

I assume this is legal, since F1 continued to "make a play" (fake throw). If, however, F1 had walked directly back to the pitcher's plate without making a play, would R1 have been out since she didn't "immediately" go to 2B? Or, would she be safe since she didn't change directions after F1 returned to circle?