Women’s Pro Baseball League Kicks Off with Inaugural Game

The Women’s Pro Baseball League began on Saturday with a game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights. Excitement filled the air as fans gathered not only for the game but also for the pre-game activities.

Martha Reeves, known for leading the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas, performed the national anthem. The group, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, is famous for hits like “Dancing in the Street,” recognized by the National Recording Registry. Reeves, at 85, sang alongside two other women. However, their rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” received criticism on social media, surprising many in the stadium.

The event marked the first women’s professional baseball game in the U.S. in almost 30 years. The evening was historic for women’s sports, despite the lukewarm reception of the anthem performance.

Mo’ne Davis, known for her Little League World Series appearance in 2014, played for the Queens as a center fielder. She scored once in their victory.

Maggie Foxx shone with an impressive 2-for-2, contributing two RBIs. She also showed skill on the mound by striking out two batters. For the Heights, Rakyung Kim pitched in the fourth inning of the inaugural game.

Heights catcher Denae Benites highlighted her outstanding performance by going 4-for-4, also with two RBIs. She reflected on Maybelle Blair, 99, who threw the first pitch. Blair had played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 to 1954. This league inspired “A League of Their Own.”

“I think that’s pretty incredible,” Benites commented on Blair’s involvement. “Maybelle has been with us since the beginning, paving the way for us. She’s special, and we’re thrilled she was part of today.”

The historic game concluded with a 10-8 victory for the Los Angeles Queens over the New York Heights.