National anthem during Women’s Pro Baseball League in Illinois goes viral

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS, KYMA) - The Women's Pro Baseball League held its inaugural game at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois Saturday, August 1, and was cheered on by a sold-out crowd of eager spectators.

Video provided by the league shows the full opening ceremony, including a performance of the Star Spangled banner by Martha Rose Reeves, which sparked intense discussion online.

Only four teams comprise the league to date: The Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, Boston Hunters, and San Francisco Firebells.

All 30 regular season games and the playoffs were scheduled to be played in Springfield for the WPBL's inaugural season, the league said.

Reports said the location was chosen in part as a reference to the United States' first-ever professional women's baseball league, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which ran from 1943 to 1954.

Saturday's match was played between the Los Angeles Queens and New York Heights. The Queens beat the Heights 10-8.