Martha Reeves' National Anthem Performance Goes Viral at Inaugural Women's Pro Baseball Game

The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) held its inaugural game on August 1, 2026 at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, featuring the Los Angeles Queens defeating New York Heights 10‑8. Before the first pitch, 85‑year‑old Motown legend Martha Reeves sang the Star‑Spangled Banner with two unnamed senior backup singers. The a‑cappella rendition was off‑key and out of sync, drawing millions of online views and widespread criticism that it “defied explanation.” Reeves later told TMZ that wet, windy field conditions and a lack of stage monitors contributed to the poor sound, but she expressed gratitude for being part of the historic league launch.

The performance dominated social‑media conversation, eclipsing the game itself, and sparked comparisons to other infamous anthem renditions. Despite the backlash, the WPBL marked a milestone as the first sustained U.S. professional women’s hardball league since the All‑American Girls Professional Baseball League ended in 1954.