The Women’s Professional Baseball League began its season on Saturday with a match between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights. Fans were captivated by the pre-game activities, even before the first pitch. Martha Reeves, the lead singer of the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas, sang the national anthem. Reeves’ group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and their hit ‘Dancing in the Street’ is part of the National Recording Registry.

Reeves, 85, performed alongside two other women. Their rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ received criticism on social media. Spectators, including some players, were surprised by the performance at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Despite this rocky start, the occasion marked a historic event for women’s baseball. It was the first professional women’s baseball game in the U.S. in nearly thirty years.

Mo’ne Davis, known from the 2014 Little League World Series, played as the center fielder for the Queens. She scored once in their victory. Maggie Foxx, serving as left fielder and pitcher, went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and struck out two batters. New York Heights’ Rakyung Kim pitched during the fourth inning.

“When I walked on the field I started crying because of how much this moment meant, and how much it meant to everybody,” she said. “It means everything to us.”

Denae Benites, the Heights’ catcher, achieved a 4-for-4 night with two RBIs. She spoke about Maybelle Blair, a 99-year-old former player from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, who threw the first pitch. The league operated from 1943 to 1954 and inspired the movie ‘A League of Their Own.’

“I think that’s pretty incredible,” Benites said. “Maybelle’s been sticking with us since the beginning of this journey. She’s paved a path for us. … She’s a special person and I’m so happy that she got to make it out here and do that today.”

Former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, Maybelle Blair, shared a moment with Los Angeles Queens’ Elodie O’Sullivan before the game.

Los Angeles emerged victorious with a score of 10-8.