Fenway Park: The home of the Boston Red Sox embraces Scotland fans

Scotland fans were gifted special edition blue tartan Red Sox jerseys and perhaps more filtered through the ground than the red and white jerseys.

Tessie and Wally, the franchise’s green monster mascots, appear near first base in Highland attire as the festivities begin and fans settle in.

Proceedings began with a respectful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before the Tartan Army gave an acapella blast of Scotland’s flowers.

As the Sox labored through the first innings, the Scots found their voice and elegance. Eight blocks across the back aisle, a newcomer from across the Atlantic is being educated on the intricacies of innings, pitching counts and field operations.

In return, the man in the baseball jersey is informed of such John McGinn’s ‘meatball’ moniker And why people are singing about him. He nodded politely.

On the odd occasion where the home team manages to bring someone back for a home run, the Scots – many of whom pack out the bleachers and fieldside – celebrate with a fervor usually reserved for Scott McTominay’s bicycle kick.

It’s a night of hugs and camaraderie, two teams running together for the love of sports. A clear camaraderie flows through the place, almost as much as the beer.

A glimpse of the organist with a ‘No Scotland, No Party’ piece of paper flashes on the screen in his window as his fingers dance merrily to the tune of Loch Lomond. At another stop, Scotland fans in the stands went berserk when a young couple got engaged live on the giant screen. All very healthy.

The grandstand overlooks the Green Monster, a 37-foot-high left-field wall topped by several rows of seats.

A particularly sweet swing of the bat sent the ball hurtling into the Boston sky like a heat-seeking missile, only to be plucked out of the air by a small child in a Scotland kit. A moment to cherish and a ball to drive to the mantelpiece.

Someone give that boy a pair of goalie gloves, please.

Despite a spirited rally, the Red Sox lost 6-4. It wasn’t a top priority from everyone on the ground, though.

“Class night, but what was the score? We thought it was 1-0,” read one message from one Scotland fan.

Bostonians who have gone dark will naturally be disappointed by the defeat, but it will surely be a loss to those who will be cushioned by the unique presence of the singing and dancing Scotsmen, women and children who have made their homes their own and their cause in their hearts.

Sports can do something special. It’s not all about results – even though it was on Saturday – it can be about bringing people together

One summer night in Massachusetts, it magically did.