Motown legend Martha Reeves went viral after an unconventional rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League game, with footage later emerging showing she had not wanted the backup singers who accompanied her on stage. A rehearsal video obtained by TMZ captured Reeves stopping the backup singers to correct one for being out of tune, before telling the stadium via microphone, "I don't think I need them. I don't need them."

The performance took place on Saturday 1 August at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Reeves, who recently turned 85, said in a statement that wet, windy field conditions and a lack of stage monitors meant she could not hear herself properly, adding that while it wasn't the performance she had hoped for, she was honoured to take part in a historic moment for women's sport.