RBI Glossary

Ass - The most common cry of disgust after a certain play doesn't go your way. Typically not said in conjunction with any other words, although the phrase "Ass-N-Titties!" is sometimes uttered.

Beer Bitch - The Beer Bitch is the dubious honor given to the loser of the most recent game. The Beer Bitch has one duty - to retreive a fresh beer for the people playing the current game. It is not his/her duty to get beer for any spectators, although some are nice enough to do so.

Black Thing - The empty, completely black area in the stands above the center field wall and below the scoreboard. Though it may seem insignificant, hitting a home run into the Black Thing is quite rare. Some would even go as far to call it the rarest homer in the game, though I think the Wallzie is a bit rarer. Also known as the Dagobah...

BOP - A grounding or fielding error initiated by the computer, where the ball bounces off your player and he briefly changes into a constipated moron. It does not include user-created fielding errors, such as misplaying a flyball or throwing to the wrong base. The sound created by a BOP is the single most annoying sound on the planet and has been used in Alabama as an alternative to chemotherapy. Known to some on the east coast as Japanese Rice. Other player-invented terms are boinks, blings and squiggles...

Bunyan - A hard grounder to left that hits the front of the infield so hard it bounces overs the fielders head for a base hit. Named the Bunyan for the swinging motion that is involved to generate such a hit - a high overhead chop towards the ground. The motion would look very similar to Paul swinging his mighty axe. Feel free to add a visual after getting the Bunyan hit.

Circle Jerk - Hitting a foul ball that ends up landing in the on-deck circle. It is a very rare occurrence and takes a very low foul ball to make it happen. How you celebrate is up to you, performing the namesake isn't mandatory.

Computer Assistance - In general video game terms (most potent in NBA Live and NBA Jam), Computer Assistance is the tendency for a badly losing team to come back for no apparent reason. In RBI, Computer Assistance, while it can apply to the former, is the instance when a computer controlled fielder ends up catching a fly ball. The most exciting instance of CA is when the computer fielders catch a fly ball while running to cover a base.

Dee-Nee - The offical sound one makes for the selection of a pinch hitter, coined by Potsie though used by all. A sound clip can be heard here. Dee Nee has become a very local phenomonon here in Chicago, as we pretty much utter it whenever anything benefital happens to us, RBI or otherwise.

Dah Nah - The anithesis of Dee Nee, uttered whenever anything bad happens to you. Term originally coined by Jason Brand, who uttered it in a seriously butchered attempt to say Dee Nee. We found it so funny that it became the "anti Dee Nee" - sound byte available here.

Death - The alternate (and original) name for the RBI Drinking Game. We initially called it Death because we used to play with Sam Adam's Double Bock, a truly awful beer. Being forced to chug Double Bock was as close to Death as one could get.

Dying Cow - The sound made by a very low fly ball. With the Dying Cow, you hit a foul/popup that stays in the air for an incredibly short amount of time. It makes a very brief, low-pitched sound and quickly lands. The Dying Cow is very popular with the pitchers, thanks to their low power output.

Electric Boogaloo - A technique used by the baserunner to distract a fielder on fly balls. If you pop the ball up and have a baserunner near the shadow of the fly ball, use your baserunner to go back-and-forth right next to the shadow and/or fielder. This will make your runner appear to dance and it may also block the shadow of the fly ball. It is very distracting to the fielder and they may end up dropping the ball. Named after one of the greatest movies of all time, Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo.

Embarassment - Term spoken when you ground out to the pitcher and have him beat you to first base. Said by the defensive team obviously and in a high-pitched tone. It's embarassing enough to ground out to the pitcher, but it becomes much worse with the opposing taunt.

Family Friend - An athlete or RBI player you tend to select and use year after year. Its roots are in fantasy football/baseball, where you select the same player every single year. In RBI, a Family Friend is either a player you use more than most (such as a sub or pitcher) or a player you hit way better with than most. Harry Spilman is my ultimate RBI family friend.

F-Bomb - Any home run hit by Julio Franco (Am) or Curt Ford (SL), the only two RBI Baseball players with last names beginning in 'F,' except for pitcher John Franco (Na). A good way to describe the feat is to say player X "dropped an F-Bomb"

Glitch - Being a 15 year old NES game, RBI Baseball has numerous bugs in it which could possibly affect the outcome of the game. These sometimes handy "quirks" are called glitches. Here's the list of known glitches:

Phantom Foul Ball - Balls hit (almost exclusively line drives) that are obviously foul but are called fair. In fact, you can catch a video clip (3 Meg AVI) here.
No Tag On A Double Play - A double play where the force play at second isn't called out. Some say a quick throw from second to first will cause this, but I haven't seen a consistent way of making it happen.
1st Base Tag Glitch - Very similar to the "No Tag On A Double Play" glitch above, but happens when the first baseman doesn't get the tag at first. This takes place when you run with your 1st baseman too quickly after catching it. He'll run away from the base before the batter is called out. Never seen it myself but confirmed by both Duff and Mike Beales.
Throwing into the stands - A common mistake for newbies, a fielder too close to the stands will have their throw end up there. It is possible to go back into the stands and retrieve the ball for most errant throws, but it takes so long that an inside-the-park homer usually comes out of it
Fucked up substitution - A very common glitch in which you pinch hit for the pitcher, yet he's still pitching the following inning. I get this glitch about half the time I play. A somewhat rarer version of this is where you'll pinch hit for the pitcher, sub the pitcher, and the pinch hitter will still be hitting next time the pitcher is up. This glitch seems to be exclusive with the first player.
Foul ball out - This has happened once to Lipitz, where he lined a foul ball into the stands on the first base side. For some reason though it was called as the third strike and he was called out. To boot, this happened to him with two outs in the 9th inning. Needless to say, the drunken Lips was not very happy that he lost the game to this unfortunate glitch.
Ending the inning on two outs - Yes, this has happened to us before, the second out of the inning is the last out.
Two runners at the same base out - If you have a runner on first and he runs back to the bag at the same time the batter does, he will be called out. This one will bite you in the ass if you hit a deep fly ball and are moving your baserunners back and forth off-screen.
The Strass Glitch - Ryan Strass sent me an email about a most unusual glitch - "I was pitching with Bruce Hurst against my friend. He had Danny Cox at the plate. He hit for Cox with John Morris. As I'm sure you know, the pitcher and hitter both disappeared while the game was paused. When play resumed, Morris was in the batter's box, where he should be. However, Hurst was standing in the area where Morris's stats are displayed, right above .261. I managed to move him over to an area parallel to the pitcher's mound, which was right in front of where the batter's box began. Not knowing what to expect, I released a pitch, a pitch that was probably about 8 RBI-feet in length. Morris blasted it for a 3 run shot. It was weird, and I lost because of this glitch." Very simlilar to the Mini-Pitcher Glitch.
Hitting a home run that is called foul - Sent in by Adam Hirsch "my roommate hit what clearly looked like a home run down the left field line, that went out of the stadium...however, they called it a foul ball." We've seen this one too, though not too common.
Hitting a grand slam that is called out - This has happened twice, both times to Lipitz. I only saw one, where he hit a granny to left that stayed in the stadium and was called out as soon as it hit the ground. This has to be the worst glitch out there.
The Mini-Pitcher Glitch - A very strange glitch originally sent in by Adam Agalloco. Click here to see it for yourself. If I had to guess, I'd say the pitcher is the normal size, but simply moved to odd spots on the screen. Also see the Strass Glitch...
Batting with George Brett, Danny Heep or Rich Gedman - The great George Brett had a stellar career, one of the greatest hitters of his time. But why is batting with him or Gedman instantly worthy of a glitch? Because George Brett was a left-handed hitter, and the RBI programmers, in their infinite wisdom, made him a right-handed batter. Ditto with the left-handed Gedman and Heep, who both bat righty in RBI...
The Throw Glitch - A somewhat common glitch where the outfielder throwing the ball will miss the fielder covering the base and roll to the wall. I have found the throw glitch to occur most often on long throws to first, though no base is completely safe.
The Forrest Gump - A humourous glitch where a defender running to a base ends up running past the base and into the outfield. Named after Forrest Gump because of his quote when he kept running after scoring a touchdown, "I just felt like running". Thanks to Greg Pines for coming up with the name...
Free Run Glitch - If you have two runners on base and one is called for out number three, a runner can score a run a split second afterwards. You see the out being called, then the updated score right after. The time frame is very short, but you can get a free run if you cross home immedately after giving up a third out.
The Ultimate Glitch - Lets just say this is the strangest of the strange. Picture, if you will, California playing California and 122mph fastballs. Best part is, we've got footage! If you want to check out the pictures (recommend, much smaller), click here. For the videos (quite large), Click here to be amazed.

Lefty Hit - The phenomenon that occurs when you have a runner on first base and a lefty hitting. Any resulting ground ball hit to the right side is almost always a base hit because the fucking 1st baseman is cheating towards the bag, guarding the baserunner. The most frustrating example of the lefty hit is when Alan Trammell leads off with a hit for Detroit. On many occasions, the 2-5 hitters will all get the lefty hit, leaving you in quite a jam.

Lockhart - A Lockhart occurs when you make a completely awful swing, yet end up with a base hit or home run. Named for John Lockhart, 2001 NCAA Wrestling Champion at heavyweight, who won his last two matches by coin toss. Lipitz is the undisputed king of the Lockhart, his specialty is yelling "Oh Shit!" immediatly before his crappy swing ends up a home run. Also known as the Homer Simpson.

Natural - A homerun that lands into the light, a la the Robert Redford movie. It is rarer than your average homer, but typically comes up once every couple of games. Some taunt their opponents by humming the theme song while rounding the bases. Thanks to Matt Gerding for the info...

Pettis - A cheap-ass technique for getting an infield single. With the Pettis, you purposely try to slap a ground ball deep to short. If timed correctly (and it takes quite some time to get down), the shortstop has no chance to throw out the quicker runners. Named after Gary Pettis, who originated the technique after we realized that there's no legitimate way for him to get on base.

Probation - You put a pitcher on probation when you are just about ready to take him out. It is simply this - he pitches until he gives up a homer, after that you bring in someone else.

Rainbow - The term created exclusively for the throwing style of Lipitz, a bad throw that travels in the shape of a rainbow. These throws are slow, ineffective, and must be mocked on every occurrence. To add a mocking visual, the official Rainbow Salute is the shot-put throw motion without the body twist.

Retreat - A batting style first used by Gantry. In a retreat, the batter starts at the top of the box and proceeds to move downward as the pitch is being thrown. By the time the batter swings, he is near the center of the box. The retreat style yields many home runs, though your mileage may vary.

Run-In Technique - A surprisingly effective fielding technique for keeping a ball in the park. When a batter hits a high flyball, instantly start running downwards with your fielders. Though it seems preposterous, the downward motion of the fielders actually slows the flyball, thus keeping in the park or off the wall. This technique takes time to master, as running in too far will prevent you from coming back to catch the ball. It's a trickly balance between running in and going back for the ball, but it will get you an extra out or two a game.

SHD - Short for Silently Hit Dinger. Describes the phenomenon when the first pitch of the game results in a homer. The first pitch is the only time during the game where you don't hear music in the background, hence the silence. Also called Silent But Deadly...

She-Nee-Nee - Pronounced "Shih-Nih-Nih", an offspring of Dee-Nee that has gained widespread use. I can't really expain what it means, just know that it's out there. Typically prepended with Dee-Nee...

Shimmy - see Run-In Technique - A technique used to slow down an opponents fly ball, thereby keeping it in play. With the shimmy, you immediately start running in once a high fly ball is hit. After that, you continue to run up and down in the direction of the fly. It seems silly, but it really does work and will keep a decent number of homers in the park. The best way to slow the ball down is to continue running in while the ball is in the air. If the ball is catchable (meaning wont hit the wall), the shimmy is your best technique.

Slurve - A pitching style for RBI that is growing in popularity. In slurve style (as opposed to straight pitch or anything goes) the pitcher can curve the ball, but it has to be in the strike zone. If the pitch is called a ball, the next pitch has to be thrown right down the middle. It's a nice blend of the strategy of curve with the high-octane scoring of straight pitch...

Spongebob - I'll let Greg Pines, the inventor of the term, describe it " This is when your fielder completely dives for a ball and lays on the ground completely flat and motioinless. We got the idea from the cartoon my sister watches called Spongebob SquarePants. One day she was complaiing when somehow the screen froze and the yellow spongebob guy was laying face down in the middle of a green pasture for about 25 minutes, it was the funniest thing I had ever seen, looked like a sniper got him. So everytime it happens in the game we hoist our glasses and yell Spongebob! "

Stroke - The hitter's ability to hit high and deep foul balls. A hitter has "got stroke" once he's let off a few monster fouls to either side of the plate. The hitter with stroke begins to intimidate the opposing pitcher and typically hits more homers than the average batter.

Statue of Liberty - The rare fielding play where you end up catching a fly ball without ever moving your fielder. Attempting the Statue of Liberty is very risky, though the rewards and prestige for pulling it off tend to make up for it....

Strezo - Known to the layman as "carry", the tendency of a high fly ball to carry to the wall or out of the park. We initially called it carry but converted to Strezo due to the convienent name of our pal Carrie Strezo. Detroit is the king of Strezo - their ability for "routine" fly balls to leave the park is unmatched. The Strezo-factor is multiplied by ten in the arcade version.

Strike a Pose! - A fielding play that results in the defender having to reach for the ball in order to catch it/pick it up. He looks quite goofy while doing so and probably was the impetus for modern day baseball game's use of sliding and jumping defenders. Also called the Travolta.

Tettleton - A batting style used occasionally by Gantry. With the Tettleton, you have the batter start his swing in the slightly forward position (do this by tapping the A button before the pitch is thrown). From there, you do a three-quarter swing, which can be quite effective. A great way to infuriate your opponent, hitting a dinger in the Tettleton position always pisses them off. Named after Mickey Tettleton, former major leaguer who had a similar looking batting stance. Some New Yorkers call it the Knoblauch...

Token Homer - A home run that you and everyone else knows is going to happen. It can attributed to a certain player - for example, you know Alan Trammell is going to hit his one token homer every game. It also can be attributed to homers that will inevitably arise after certain fielding misplays. Token homers almost always arise after critical BOPs and two-out throwing mistakes.

Waft - The hand gesture/motion used to push a foul ball out of play. For those who don't remember science class, you typically waft to blow a smell one way or another. In RBI, you waft to get that dangerously shallow foul ball into the stands. While not scientifically proven, it has been known to help the occasional foul ball.

Wallzie - Alternate name for the seven drink homer. In a Wallzie, the ball is lined straight down the 1st or 3rd base lines. Though it seems too low to get out of the stadium, the ball ends up going through the wall for a homer. The Wallzie is the rarest of the homers and is certain to piss off your opponent. Thanks to guy of the Milwaukee RBI Baseball crew for the name.

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