What Is A RBI In Baseball?

RBI stands for “runs batted in.” A run batted in occurs when a batter hits the ball and a runner scores as a result of the hit.

Definition of a RBI

In baseball, a RBI is a run scored by a batter who hits a sacrifice fly or a ground ball with the bases loaded. A RBI can also be awarded to a batter if he hits a home run with runners on base.

Runs Batted In

In baseball, a run batted in (RBI) is awarded to a batter who hits a single, double, triple, or home run and drives in two or more runs. A batter is not awarded an RBI when he hits into a double play or a fielder’s choice. An RBI is considered an important statistic, as it is one of the main indicators of a player’s ability to drive in runs.

How a RBI is Scored

In baseball, a run batted in (RBI) is awarded to a batter who hits a ball that scores a baserunner from third base. A baserunner must score when the ball is hit, unless the inning ends before that baserunner crosses home plate (in which case the run does not count). An out does not preclude a player from receiving an RBI—for example, if a sacrifice fly is hit with two outs and the batter’s team trailing by one run, the batter will receive an RBI. A fielder’s choice also does not preclude a player from receiving an RBI—for example, if a bases-loaded fielder’s choice produces a play where the runner on third base is thrown out at home plate but the runner on first base scores while the inning continues, both runners—the one who was thrown out at home and the one who scored—receive an RBIs.

History of the RBI

In baseball, a run batted in (RBI) is a statistic awarded to a batter who hits a balls that allows a baserunner to score a run. The King of Statistic, baseball Hall of Famer Henry Chadwick is credited with creating the first box score and devising the common baseball statistics, including the RBI. The RBI became an official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic in 1920.

First Recorded RBI

The first recorded use of the term “run batted in” occurred in 1908. It was used by sportswriter Ernie Lanigan in reference to a game played by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In this game, Pittsburgh player Ned Cuthbert hit a home run that scored two runs, and he was credited with three “run batted in.”

The term became widely used after it was picked up by Baseball Magazine in 1909. The first person to use it in print on a regular basis was sportswriter Hy Mason, who began writing for The Washington Times in 1910.

Mason is also credited with creating the abbreviated form of “RBI,” which is still used today.

RBI Leaders

The all-time RBI leader is Hank Aaron, who drove in 2,297 runs during his illustrious career. He’s followed by Babe Ruth (2,213), Alex Rodriguez (2,086), Stan Musial (1,951) and Albert Pujols (1,879). Of those five legends, only Aaron played his entire career with one team — the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. Ruth, Musial and Pujols each played at least 15 seasons with their original team before finishing their careers elsewhere. A-Rod played 22 seasons with the Yankees but also saw time with the Rangers and Mariners.

The Importance of a RBI

In baseball, a run batted in (RBI) is a statistic that credited to a batter who scores a run when he bats. A run batted in can be scored by hitting a fly ball that is caught by the defensive team before it touches the ground, or by hitting a ball that bounces off a fence or a wall.

Why a RBI Matters

A run batted in, or RBI, is defined by Major League Baseball as “the number of runs scored by a batter because of the batter’s performance.” In other words, it’s the number of runs a player drives in while he is at bat. A player gets credit for a RBI when he hits a home run or when he helps another runner score by getting on base and then having that runner score.

There are two types of RBI situations: with runners on base and with the bases empty. If a player hits a home run with runners on base, he gets credit for however many runs those runners scored. So, if he hits a three-run home run, he gets credit for three RBI. If he hits a solo home run with the bases empty, he gets credit for one RBI.

Players who hit for a high average and get on base frequently are more likely to drive in runs than players who don’t get on base as often. Therefore, RBI is seen as a good stat for evaluating hitters. It’s also worth noting that players who hit behind hitters who get on base frequently are more likely to drive in runs as well.

How a RBI Can Affect the Outcome of a Game

In baseball, a run batted in (RBI) is awarded to a batter who hits a fielder’s choice,[1] a sacrifice fly,[2] or a sacrifice bunt;[3] knocks in a runner from third base; or hits a home run. A batter is not awarded an RBI if he hits into a fielder’s choice that retires another runner; hits a sacrifice fly that scores the same runner he drove in with the bases empty; or hits into a double play, even if the RBI was the sole scoring action for the inning.

An RBI grants the batter and his team an important offensive statistic—one that can directly affect the outcome of the game. A single with runners on first and second and no outs, for example, is more likely to score both runners than is a single with a runner on first and two outs. Because of this, batters tend to be more selective when they have runners on base and two outs—they are more likely to take pitches and try to work the count in their favor so as not to waste their at-bat with an easy out. Indeed, some baseball analysts believe that one reason why batting averages go down with two outs is because batters become more choosy and patient at those times, leading to more strikeouts but also more walks.