The historic opening game of the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) encountered an inauspicious start on Saturday as a performance of the national anthem by Motown icon Martha Reeves drew widespread criticism.
Reeves, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, performed at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, the designated venue for all league games this season. The performance, intended to be a memorable moment, quickly became a viral topic of discussion online due to perceived struggles with pitch and harmony. Commenters on social media platforms expressed disappointment, with some calling it a "terrible way to kick off the new league." Others noted that backup singers accompanying Reeves also appeared to be out of sync.
Despite the anthem controversy, the league's first-ever game commenced. In a contest marked by rain and comebacks, Mo'ne Davis and the Los Angeles Queens secured a 10-8 victory over Denae Benites and the New York Heights. The game featured the league's first hit by Los Angeles's Maggie Foxx and the first home run by New York's Benites.
The WPBL aims to provide professional opportunities for women in baseball, a dream previously unattainable for many. "Growing up I played softball. I wanted to play baseball because going professional was always like the dream, but there (were) no opportunities," said Rachel Koehler, a player who sees the league as an "amazing" development for aspiring female athletes.
The league also honored the legacy of women's baseball. A pregame ceremony paid tribute to past, present, and future players. A significant ovation was reserved for 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, a former player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954) and an advisory board member for the WPBL. Blair threw a ceremonial first pitch to Kelsie Whitmore, a notable WPBL player.
Fans expressed enthusiasm for the new league, with many attending with their children to provide positive female role models. "Having a daughter, it's really exciting to give her exposure to female professional athletes," said Antonietta Mabry, a fan attending with her family. "It's such a rare thing, so it's really cool to give her some really positive female role models and examples."
The stadium, a century-old venue, hosted more than 4,000 fans who braved the rain. Merchandise booths saw long lines, with fans eager to support the new league. The Firebells and Boston Hunters, the league's other two teams, were scheduled to play on Sunday. Players from these teams assisted grounds crews in preparing the field after the rain subsided.
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