Martha Reeves Reflects on Backlash From Anthem Performance at League Launch
WHO:
New York Post - Martha Reeves stated, “Having just celebrated my 85th birthday, I’ve learned a great deal over more than 60 years of performing live.”
New York Post - Martha Reeves, a classic Motown singer and lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, performed the national anthem.
The Independent - The teams involved were the New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens.
WHAT:
New York Post - Reeves stated, “While it wasn’t the performance I had hoped for, I’m grateful to have been there in support of these remarkable athletes and this groundbreaking league.”
The Independent - A player was seen in the audience struggling to contain laughter during Reeves' performance.
The Independent - A clip of Reeves' performance on X received over three million views and 3,500 comments, with various reactions from viewers.
New York Post - Reeves stated, “It was an incredible honor to be invited to perform at the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League event and to help celebrate such a historic moment for women in sports. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
New York Post - The WPBL will feature four founding teams in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco.
New York Post - Reeves described her performance as “wasn’t the performance I had hoped for.”
The Independent - A clip of Reeves' performance on X received over three million views and 3,500 comments.
New York Post - Martha Reeves performed the national anthem at the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) game.
The Independent - The Los Angeles Queens won the inaugural game with a score of 10-8.
New York Post - A sellout crowd of over 4,000 fans attended the historic game.
The Independent - The WPBL is the first women’s professional baseball league in the U.S. in almost three decades.
WHERE:
New York Post - The event took place at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois.
The Independent - The game was held in Springfield, Illinois.
WHEN:
New York Post - The inaugural game of the WPBL occurred on August 1, 2026.
New York Post - The WPBL season will conclude on September 6, 2026.
WHY:
The Independent - Commenters noted that as singers age, their vocal cords can thin and become more brittle, making it challenging to perform songs like the national anthem.
New York Post - Reeves cited “the field conditions were wet and windy, and without stage monitors I wasn’t able to hear myself as I normally would” as reasons for her performance challenges.
New York Post - Martha Reeves stated that she faced challenges during her performance due to weather conditions and not being able to hear herself.
HOW:
TMZ - Video obtained by TMZ showed Martha Reeves calling out her backup singers during rehearsal for the anthem.
New York Post - Reeves performed the anthem alongside two backup singers for the highly-anticipated debut of the WPBL.
The Independent - Reeves performed the anthem alongside two other female singers.
New York Post - Reeves performed the anthem alongside two backup singers.
The Independent - Reeves struggled with the song’s high notes and her vocals appeared shaky during the performance.
Martha Reeves expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support remarkable athletes and a groundbreaking league, despite feeling her performance didn't meet her expectations. A clip of her singing the national anthem has gone viral, racking up over three million views and 3,500 comments, with some viewers noting the challenges singers face as they age, particularly with vocal performance. In a rehearsal video, Reeves was seen calling out to her backup singers, highlighting the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into such performances.