Martha Reeves struggles during national anthem at women's pro baseball opener

3 min read

Martha Reeves, the 85-year-old former lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, and two other singers performed the national anthem before the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League game at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Social media widely circulated the rendition after viewers noted Reeves' trouble staying on key and timing, making the clip a focus of attention. The league opened with the Los Angeles Queens beating the New York Heights 10-8; the WPBL launched with four teams, a neutral-site schedule, 15-player rosters, aluminum bats, a 30-game regular season and planned playoffs through mid-September.

The WPBL opened amid viral attention over the national anthem performance.