Martha Reeves' national anthem performance goes viral at historic women's baseball opener

Motown legend Martha Reeves has become the centre of a viral online discussion after her performance of the United States national anthem at the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League opener prompted widespread reactions across social media.

Reeves, 85, performed "The Star Spangled Banner" before the league's opening game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights. The event marked the official launch of the Women's Pro Baseball League, the first professional women's baseball league in the United States in roughly 70 years.

Videos from the ceremony quickly spread online, with many viewers commenting on Reeves' vocal performance and the visible reactions of people on the field and in the crowd. Cameras captured San Francisco Fireballs player Kelsie Whitmore appearing to smile during the anthem, a moment that was widely shared across social media platforms.

Sports journalist Kendall Baker wrote that nothing could have prepared viewers for the anthem performance at the league's opening night. Other users posted humorous reactions, while some argued that the attention should have remained on the historic launch of the new competition rather than the pregame entertainment.

A number of commenters also defended Reeves, pointing to her extraordinary contribution to American music. As the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, Reeves helped define the Motown sound during the 1960s with enduring hits including "Dancing in the Street", "Heat Wave" and "Nowhere to Run". She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the group in 1995, cementing her place among the most influential performers of her generation.

Some online observers suggested the viral moment could inadvertently increase awareness of the Women's Pro Baseball League. While there is no evidence that the performance was intended to generate publicity, the widespread discussion introduced many people to the league, which features four founding teams: the Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights and San Francisco Fireballs.

The Women's Pro Baseball League aims to provide elite female baseball players with a dedicated professional competition and represents a significant milestone for the sport. Organisers have promoted the league as an opportunity to expand pathways for women in baseball and build a sustainable professional competition.

Although Reeves' anthem became the dominant talking point after opening night, many supporters urged viewers to remember her remarkable legacy rather than judge her career on a single performance. At 85, Reeves remains one of Motown's most celebrated voices, and her influence on popular music continues to be recognised decades after her biggest hits topped the charts.