What does RBI stand for? In baseball and softball, RBI stands for run batted in. A batter earns an RBI for each runner who scores because of that batter's turn at the plate, whether from a hit, a sacrifice fly or a walk with the bases loaded. A home run always earns at least one RBI, because the batter drives himself in.
RBIs appear in box scores, on scoreboards and on the back of baseball cards. Along with batting average and home runs, the stat is one of the classic ways fans judge how much a hitter helps the team score.
Quick facts
Stands for
Run batted inPlural
RBIs, or RBI for bothHow to say it
"R B I" or the nickname "ribbie"Used in
Baseball and softball box scores, stat sheets, broadcastsOfficial stat
In the major leagues since 1920Other meaning
Reserve Bank of India, in finance news
What does RBI stand for in baseball, and how is it earned?
The official scorer credits an RBI when a run scores as a direct result of the batter's plate appearance. The common ways to earn one:
- A base hit that brings a runner home.
- A home run, which counts one RBI for the batter plus one for every runner on base. A grand slam is worth four.
- A sacrifice fly or sacrifice bunt that lets a runner score.
- A ground out or fielder's choice that still lets a run cross the plate.
- A walk or hit by pitch with the bases loaded, which forces in a run.
When a batter does not get an RBI
Not every run that scores during an at bat counts. The batter usually gets no RBI when:
- The batter grounds into a double play, even if a run scores on it.
- A run scores mainly because of a fielding error.
- A runner scores on a wild pitch, passed ball or stolen base.
- A runner scores on a balk.
Scoring a play: Bases loaded, one out. The batter hits a grounder, the shortstop throws home too late, and the runner from third scores. The batter reaches on a fielder's choice and gets one RBI, even though it was not a hit.
Reading RBI in a box score
In a printed box score, RBI is usually its own column next to at bats, runs and hits. A line like this is common:
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lopez, 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
That means four official at bats, one run scored, two hits and three runs batted in. Note the difference between R and RBI: R counts the times the player crossed the plate, while RBI counts the runs the player drove in. For the player of the game, look for whoever helped most; the MVP often has a big RBI total.
How to say and write RBI
Announcers say "R B I" letter by letter, and many fans use the nickname "ribbie," as in "he drove in three ribbies." For the plural, both "RBIs" and "RBI" are accepted. Some purists argue that "runs batted in" is already plural, so RBI needs no s, but RBIs is far more common in everyday writing. Keep it uppercase with no dots. Because the R is spoken "ar," the article is an: "an RBI."
Examples:
- "She had an RBI double in the fifth inning."
- "He leads the team with 54 RBIs."
- "A sacrifice fly is a quiet way to pick up an RBI."
- "Two run single, two RBI."
Why the stat matters, and its limits
RBIs show who comes through when runners are on base, so they have long been a headline stat. The number also depends on luck and lineup: a hitter batting behind players who get on base often has more chances. That is why many analysts now pair RBIs with other numbers. Even so, RBI is still one of the first stats fans learn, and leading the league in it is a big honor.
Other meanings of RBI
Outside sports, RBI is best known as the Reserve Bank of India, the country's central bank, which appears in finance and world news. In that use the letters are also said one by one. If you see RBI next to interest rates or currency, it is the bank, not baseball. Our famous acronyms page gathers more letters from games and daily life, and you can compare league names such as NCAA and NBA.
Questions people ask
Is it RBI or RBIs?
Both are used. RBIs is the most common plural, while some writers keep RBI because runs batted in is already plural.
Does a home run count as an RBI?
Yes. A home run gives the batter one RBI for himself plus one for each runner on base, so a grand slam is four RBIs.
Do you get an RBI on a walk?
Only when the bases are loaded and the walk forces a runner home. Any other walk does not score a run.
What does RBI mean in softball?
The same as in baseball: run batted in. The scoring rules are nearly identical.
What does ribbie mean?
It is a fan nickname for RBI, built from the sound of the letters R B I said quickly.