Martha Reeves certainly made the first weekend of the Women's Professional Baseball League a memorable one.
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The Motown legend performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" with two backup singers on Saturday, Aug. 1. But rather than getting cheers, the former frontwoman of Martha and the Vandellas was met with stifled laughter.
Players Tried Not to Laugh at Martha Reeves
The moment took place at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. It happened right before the Los Angeles Queens took on the New York Heights.
And while the quality of Patti LaBelle's performance of the national anthem at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game earlier this year is certainly subjective, Reeves' performance came from another planet entirely.
This viral moment certainly has given us a newfound respect for umpires. The one standing behind the Detroit native managed to keep a straight face throughout the whole song. However, the players and fans couldn't restrain themselves. It must be heard to be believed.
As someone wrote on social media when sharing a clip of Reeves' performance, "Nothing will prepare you for the national anthem at the first women's professional baseball game. And I mean nothing."
Reeves Explained What Happened
The internet certainly had some fun at Reeves' expense. Many comparing her performance to Fergie's infamous rendition at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
Yesterday, Reeves described what happened in a statement to TMZ.
"Having just celebrated my 85th birthday, I've learned a great deal over more than 60 years of performing live," she began.
"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," Reeves then added.
She closed her message by saying, "The field conditions were wet and windy, and without stage monitors I wasn't able to hear myself as I normally would. 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."
Sure, many wondered if Reeves lost her voice during her performance. But how the singer responded to it proves she hasn't misplaced her dignity.
