The Louisville Colonels drop a game to Brooklyn because they have run out of baseballs. The home team is responsible for supplying balls‚ but the game begins with just three baseballs on hand‚ two of them practice balls borrowed from Brooklyn. By the 3rd inning‚ the balls are worn out and a messenger sent for new ones does not arrive back in time. Louisville is forced to forfeit the game.

This Day In Baseball

On May 23, 1895 — The Louisville Colonels drop a game to Brooklyn because they have run out of baseballs. The home team is responsible for supplying balls‚ but the game begins with just three baseballs on hand‚ two of them practice balls borrowed from Brooklyn. By the 3rd inning‚ the balls are worn out and a messenger sent for new ones does not arrive back in time. Louisville is forced to forfeit the game.

Source:
Baseball Reference May 23