Run batted in

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“RBI” redirects here. For other uses, see RBI (disambiguation).

In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batter's plate appearance.

There are certain exceptions: a player does not receive an RBI if he hits into a double play and a run scores, if a run is scored on a wild pitch or passed ball or as the result of certain errors, or if the pitcher balks. A player does receive an RBI if he is walked or hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. He will also receive an RBI if a runner scores from his sacrifice fly or sacrifice bunt.

As an example, if someone hits a home run with two runners on base, the batter would get three RBIs (since both baserunners as well as the batter would score).

Batters get credit for an RBI that scores with fewer than two out on an error on a batting play that would otherwise result in an out except for the error in clean play (the run would score if the batter were put out or a runner were forced at a base other than home plate), but not for runs that score on contunuations resulting from throwing errors, dropped balls, or defensive interference with baserunners. For example, with one out and the bases loaded, the batter grounds to the shortstop, who then throws to third base with a good chance of putting out the runner from second should the third baseman catch the ball and reach third base before the baserunner. But the throw goes past the third baseman and the runner from second base not only is safe at third but also scores on the error. The batter gets an RBI for the run that scores from third, but not the one that scores from second on a throwing error; the first would have scored on a clean play. A batter gets an RBI should he reach first base on the error known as catcher's interference with the bases loaded irrespective of the number of outs because a runner scores.

RBI are sometimes referred to in slang, as ribbies or ribs, by interchanging the B and I, or as steaks (as in 'rib eye steaks').

RBI are one of three categories composing baseball's batting triple crown, the other two being batting average and home runs. The first team to track the RBI stat was the Buffalo Bisons.

The RBI stat has been criticised by the sabermetric movement due to its perceived lack of usefulness in measuring a player's performance. Recording an RBI depends on the success or failure of other players; that is, a player must have at least one teammate on base to record more than one RBI in any given plate appearance. Nonetheless, teams select lineups so that the players with the greatest likelihood of driving in runs are in position to do so. Almost without exception, players with high seasonal totals of RBIs (typically over 100) are good hitters with power or great hitters with limited power who bat in the middle (#3, #4, #5, more rarely #6, #7, or #2) in the lineup. Indeed, a batter who gets significantly fewer than 100 RBIs in full-time play while batting #3, #4, or #5 either is ill-suited for the role, plays on a team with a poor offense, or both.