The Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) commenced its inaugural season on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with a game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights. However, the historic event was met with widespread social media backlash regarding the performance of the national anthem.
Singer Martha Reeves, known for her work with Motown group Martha and the Vandellas, was one of three women who performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The rendition was criticized by fans in attendance and on social media platforms.
This marked the first professional women's baseball game in the United States in nearly three decades. Despite the controversy surrounding the anthem, the game itself represented a significant milestone for women's sports.
Notable players on the field included Mo'ne Davis, who gained national attention during the 2014 Little League World Series, starting in center field for the Queens. Queens' left fielder and pitcher Maggie Foxx contributed significantly with two hits and two runs batted in, alongside striking out two batters. Foxx expressed the emotional weight of the moment, stating, "When I walked on the field I started crying because of how much this moment meant, and how much it meant to everybody. It means everything to us."
For the New York Heights, catcher Denae Benites had a strong offensive performance, going 4-for-4 with two RBI. The game also featured a ceremonial first pitch by 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, a former player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954), which inspired the film "A League of Their Own." Benites acknowledged Blair's role, calling her "a special person" who "paved a path for us."
The Los Angeles Queens ultimately won the game, 10-8. The Associated Press contributed to this report.