The opening game of the newly launched Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) generated plenty of excitement, but it wasn’t just the action on the field that had people talking.
A performance of the U.S. national anthem before the league’s inaugural game quickly went viral across social media, drawing thousands of reactions from viewers.
Performance Sparks Strong Reactions
Motown legend Martha Reeves, joined by backup singers, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the first-ever WPBL game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights.
Soon after the ceremony, clips of the performance spread rapidly online, with fans sharing a wide range of opinions. While many praised Reeves for her legendary music career, others said the anthem performance caught them by surprise and quickly became one of the day’s biggest talking points.
Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the national anthem at the first Women’s Pro Baseball League tonight pic.twitter.com/3lEYRYNQTi
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) August 2, 2026
Social Media Flooded With Comments
Videos from the ceremony circulated widely on X, Facebook, and other platforms, where viewers debated the performance.
Some users called the rendition memorable for unexpected reasons, while others defended the 85-year-old singer, reminding critics of her decades-long legacy in the music industry.
Historic Day For Women’s Baseball
Despite the online debate, the event marked a historic milestone for the sport. The Women’s Pro Baseball League officially opened its inaugural season as the first professional women’s baseball league in the United States in decades.
The new league features four teams—Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, and San Francisco Fireballs—with hopes of bringing greater visibility to women’s professional baseball.
Source
This story is based on reporting by Country Rebel, with additional background information from The Associated Press.
