The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) made history with its inaugural game on Saturday, but it was Motown legend Martha Reeves’ rendition of the national anthem that quickly became one of the day’s biggest talking points.
The 85-year-old singer performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the league’s first-ever game at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, launching an event that celebrated the return of professional women’s baseball. Within hours, clips of the performance spread across social media, drawing millions of views and sparking widespread debate.
A Music Icon Takes Center Stage
Reeves, best known as the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, rose to fame during the 1960s with timeless Motown hits including “Heat Wave” and “Dancing in the Street.” Her contributions to music earned the group a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing her status as one of the era’s most influential performers.
Her appearance at the WPBL opener was intended to honor both her legendary career and the league’s historic launch.
Performance Sparks Mixed Reactions Online
Shortly after the ceremony, videos of Reeves’ performance went viral, generating tens of millions of views and thousands of comments across social media.
Some viewers criticized the rendition.
“Probably should’ve got together beforehand and picked a key and tempo,” one person wrote on X.
Another commented, “This was a terrible way to kick off the new league.”
Others, however, defended the Motown icon, arguing that her decades of contributions to music deserved far more respect.
“My mom was a fan, so I grew up with her beautiful, silky voice filling our home. I wish they would have honored her instead of allowing her to be humiliated,” one supporter wrote.
Another added, “What’s sad is she was a great singer in the 1960s.”
Players’ Reactions Also Go Viral
The television broadcast added to the online buzz by frequently cutting to players and fans during the anthem.
Some viewers interpreted several reaction shots as players trying not to laugh or smile, and those clips quickly became the subject of memes and viral posts. Others argued that brief facial expressions captured on camera can easily be taken out of context.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the performance became one of the most widely discussed moments from the league’s opening day.
A Historic Day for Women’s Baseball
Despite the attention surrounding the national anthem, the inaugural game represented a landmark moment for women’s professional sports.
The Los Angeles Queens faced the New York Heights in the first official WPBL game, marking the launch of the first women’s professional baseball league in nearly three decades.
Led by former Little League star and Sports Illustrated cover athlete Mo’ne Davis, the Queens erased an 8-4 deficit by scoring six unanswered runs to complete a thrilling 10-8 comeback victory.
The Queens will return to action on August 5, when they face the Boston Hunters as the league continues its inaugural season.
While Martha Reeves’ performance dominated online conversation, the debut of the Women’s Professional Baseball League marked a significant milestone for women’s baseball and the beginning of a new chapter for the sport.