An RBI is credited when a batter's plate appearance directly causes a run to score: any hit that drives a runner in (including the batter on a home run), a bases-loaded walk or hit-by-pitch, a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice bunt that scores a runner, and most run-scoring ground outs and fielder's choices.
An RBI is not credited when the run scores because of a defensive mistake the batter didn't cause, a run that scores only on an error, a wild pitch, a passed ball, a balk, or a stolen base. And there's one firm exception: no RBI is awarded when a batter grounds into a double play, even if a run scores.
RBI depends heavily on the batters ahead of you getting on base, so it's a context stat best read alongside OBP and OPS.
Bleacher Notes applies the RBI rules automatically, including the no-RBI-on-a-GIDP exception and the error and wild-pitch cases, from the play and the runners on base.
Do you get an RBI on a double play?
No. By rule, a batter who grounds into a double play is not credited with an RBI, even if a run scores on the play.
Is a run on an error an RBI?
Usually not. If a run scores only because of an error, no RBI is credited, since the batter didn't drive the run in.
Let the scorebook keep itself.
Bleacher Notes scores every play from a single spoken sentence, applying these rules for you. In beta now, free for parents.