Baseball Glossary › Runs Batted In
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Runs batted in (RBI) count the runs that score because of a batter's action at the plate. A batter earns an RBI for runs that score on his hit, home run, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out or fielder's choice, and for a bases-loaded walk or hit-by-pitch. He gets no RBI when he grounds into a force double play.
Athletics example: Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx drove in 1,922 runs over 2,317 major-league games. See the full career line on the Jimmie Foxx player page.
RBI per game = 1,922 / 2,317 = 0.83
Career MLB totals from our player database (MLB Stats API).
What to Know
A home run always earns at least one RBI, because the batter drives himself in. A sacrifice fly earns an RBI even though it is an out. Under Official Baseball Rule 9.04, runs that score on an error generally do not count, though the scorer can credit an RBI when, with fewer than two outs, an error is made on a play where a runner from third would ordinarily have scored.
RBI vs runs: a run (R) is credited to the player who crosses the plate, while the RBI goes to the batter who drove him in. A solo home run gives the hitter both. Along with home runs and batting average, RBI is one of the three legs of baseball's offensive Triple Crown.
RBI totals depend heavily on teammates reaching base ahead of the hitter, which is why analysts lean on rate stats such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage to judge the hitter himself. With runners in scoring position, a single can drive in a run, which is where many RBI come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RBI mean in baseball?
RBI stands for runs batted in. A batter is credited with an RBI for each run that scores as a result of his plate appearance, such as on a hit, a sacrifice fly or a bases-loaded walk.
Is a sac fly an RBI?
Yes. When a fly-ball out allows a runner to score, the batter is credited with a sacrifice fly and an RBI. The sacrifice fly does not count as an at-bat, so it does not hurt his batting average.
Do you get an RBI for a bases-loaded walk?
Yes. Under Official Baseball Rule 9.04(a)(2), a batter who walks or is hit by a pitch with the bases loaded is credited with an RBI, because the runner on third is forced home.
Do you get an RBI if you ground into a double play?
No. Official Baseball Rule 9.04(b) says no RBI is credited when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play, even if a run scores on the play.
Does a home run count as an RBI?
Yes. A home run drives in the batter himself plus every runner on base. A solo home run is one RBI, and a grand slam with the bases loaded is four.
Do you get an RBI on an error?
Usually not. Runs that score because of an error generally do not earn an RBI. The rules make one exception: with fewer than two outs, if an error happens on a play where the runner from third would ordinarily score, the batter can be credited.
Related Terms
Sources
- MLB.com Glossary: Runs Batted In (RBI)
- MLB.com Glossary: Sacrifice Fly (SF)
- Official Baseball Rules 2026 (MLB)
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