The Women’s Pro Baseball League officially opened its inaugural season on Saturday, but the first moments of the league’s long-awaited debut were not quite what organizers had envisioned.
Before the first pitch at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, Motown legend Martha Reeves was invited to perform the national anthem. The 85-year-old singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Martha and the Vandellas, took the field for what was intended to be a memorable ceremonial moment. Instead, the performance quickly became the focus of online discussion after viewers criticized Reeves for struggling to stay on key.
Clips of the anthem spread rapidly across social media, where reactions ranged from sympathy to outright mockery. One user wrote that they were “crying actual tears laughing,” pointing to crowd shots that appeared to show fans trying not to react. Another described it as “a terrible way to kick off the new league.”
Not everyone viewed the moment negatively. Some argued that the unusual performance guaranteed attention for a brand-new league trying to establish itself. One commenter joked that the anthem would at least earn the WPBL plenty of clicks, while another suggested that every new sports league needs a memorable first chapter, even if it is an unexpected one.
Baseball Fans Reacts to the Opening Ceremony
Backup singers joined Reeves during the performance, but that did little to quiet the criticism. Several viewers claimed the trio appeared to be singing in different keys, fueling even more discussion online after the ceremony concluded.
Once the anthem ended, attention shifted to the reason thousands of fans had gathered in Springfield: the first professional women’s baseball game in the United States in nearly three decades.
Former Little League standout and former Sports Illustrated cover athlete Mo’ne Davis helped lead the Los Angeles Queens to a dramatic 10-8 comeback victory over the New York Heights. Los Angeles erased an 8-4 deficit by scoring two runs in the sixth inning before exploding for four more in the seventh to complete the rally in the rain-shortened seven-inning contest.
Historic Firsts on the Field
History continued to unfold throughout the game. Maggie Foxx recorded the league’s first official hit with a two-run single in the opening inning, while Denae Benites hit the WPBL’s first home run with a two-run blast to center field in the fourth.
Despite steady rain throughout much of the afternoon, more than 4,000 fans packed the 101-year-old Robin Roberts Stadium. Many arrived hours before first pitch to secure a Mo’ne Davis bobblehead, while long lines formed at the merchandise stands as excitement built for the league’s debut.
For many in attendance, the significance of the day extended beyond the final score.
Rachel Koehler, who traveled from St. Paul, Minnesota, reflected on how few opportunities existed for girls who wanted to pursue professional baseball when she was growing up. She said she had played softball because professional baseball was not an option, adding that today’s young players can now realistically dream of reaching a professional league.
Antonietta Mabry attended with her husband and their 9-year-old daughter, Rosalee, explaining that exposing her daughter to professional female athletes was one of the main reasons for making the trip. Rosalee, who plays softball herself, collected an autograph from San Francisco infielder Amanda Gianelloni and said she was excited to watch women competing at the professional level.
Honoring Baseball’s Trailblazers
Before the game began, the WPBL also honored the history of women’s baseball. The loudest applause of the evening came when 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, a former player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that inspired the film A League of Their Own, threw the ceremonial first pitch to San Francisco star Kelsie Whitmore. Blair now serves on the league’s advisory board and was recognized as a bridge between the pioneers of women’s professional baseball and its newest generation.
While Martha Reeves’ anthem performance dominated early headlines and social media conversation, the opening day ultimately delivered what the league had been waiting years to showcase: a competitive game, an enthusiastic crowd, and the official return of professional women’s baseball in the United States.
