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.”
As for his knowledge of baseball?
“Nothing,” Downie said with a laugh. “I know pitching, batting and you catch it and outs, but that is about it.”
That didn't stop the Scottish supporters from embracing the experience, as cheers followed nearly every pitch and every Marlins play. One even caught a foul ball off a Jake Burger swing in the sixth inning.
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.