MIAMI -- “No Marlins, no party.”
That was the chant from the Tartan Army as hundreds of traveling Scotland supporters marched roughly 1 1/2 miles from Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho to loanDepot park ahead of the Marlins' 4-3 loss against Texas on Monday.
The stop at the ballpark was part of the supporters' travels across the United States as Scotland prepares to face Brazil on Wednesday at Miami Stadium.
Leading the march was a group of bagpipers, including Aberdeen native Sean Downie, who wore a Scotland jersey and a red kilt while performing during the walk and later along the warning track before first pitch.
“Brilliant,” Downie said when asked about attending his first baseball game. “It’s a bit different, but as you can see with the march and the atmosphere, it's starting to feel like a football match, or soccer as you call it.”
His knowledge of baseball, however, was limited.
“Nothing,” Downie said with a laugh when asked how much he knew about the sport. “I know pitching, batting and you catch it and outs, but that is about it.”
But that didn't stop the Scottish supporters from embracing the experience, as cheers followed nearly every pitch starting pitcher Tyler Phillips threw and every Marlins play. One even caught a foul ball off a Jake Burger swing in the sixth inning.
The atmosphere wasn't lost on the Marlins, either.
“That was a very raucous environment, especially early on [with] the chants,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “It was great. We're all proud to have been hosts for an incredible evening, and certainly it's an exciting time around the sports world with the World Cup. And for those fans to get a chance to see some American baseball, and a good game at that.”
Those chants were also feeding into Phillips' energy in his outing, as one of the most intense pitchers who is known for slapping his face when running out from the dugout when he was a reliever.
“I love energy, man, like Scotland, the Tartan Army, like if it was up to me, I would have us pay those people to show up to the games,” Phillips said. “From the second I walked in … and they were doing 'USA' chants. They're just happy to be here.
“They're unbelievable fans, and, man, if I ever see them, like, if I'm ever out there, I got their backs. The energy was phenomenal tonight.”
For Glasgow native Thomas Forsyth, the trip to Miami -- which took more than 14 hours -- has exceeded expectations.
“Everyone has been so lovely,” Forsyth said. “It's amazing. The atmosphere is great. I don't know if it's because we're here. I hope it's like this every week.”
Forsyth and his friends have spent the past several days exploring Miami, and he has been struck by how welcoming both the city and its residents have been.
“I think we might have a good reputation as great traveling fans, so everyone seems to be very excited to see us and talk to us, which has been fun,” Forsyth said.
The journey was even longer for Irvine native Victoria Campbell, who spent more than 30 hours traveling to Miami. Still, she said the trip has been worth it because of the people she has met along the way, including fellow Tartan Army member Tam Bagnall.
“Baseball is just a massive American tradition,” Campbell said. “The fans seemed crazy, Scotland fans are crazy, so we just wanted to come. It has been absolutely awesome so far. We have loved it.”
“America has treated us great so far,” Bagnall added.