World Cup: Scotland fans love baseball in Miami

A cynic would say it’s an opportunity for a captive audience to wander the city after watching Fenway Love-In. And yes, footfall and the beer sales that flow with it have an undoubted advantage.

But, just like the Red Sox, it felt like a unique experience. Another baseball match, but a completely different snapshot of a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Filled with football, friends, foot-long hot dogs and dodgy first-base runs.

It was a night at the ball park that will be cherished for years to come.

A lot of effort has gone into enhancing the experience.

Our food kiosk had a tartan menu. A man with a Dundee United tattoo on his leg told how his mince and tatty hot dog was nine out of 10, but not quite as good as football in Tannadice. There is no accounting for taste.

DJ CP, a lovely fellow, driven to the far side of the arena in charge of the tune with a Scottish flag over his shoulder, explained how excited he was to play “Beats and Pieces” for the Beatles alongside the crowd.

One home fan even told how he moved his season ticket seat to the Scotland section for the night. He also brought mini traffic cone trinkets to hand out.

As the sun fades through the giant glass wall behind Home Run Harbor and the ice cream stall, the soaring Miami skyline fades with it, the Scots amp up the atmosphere.

In the bottom of the sixth, Miami’s St. Andrews Pipe Band, surrounded by a sea of ​​phones and selfie sticks, blared so loudly that the sound of Marlin racing behind them was barely audible.

A thudding swing shot in the bottom of the eighth cranked through the air like that cupid’s arrow, bringing Miami back to within one of the Rangers.

Scotland fans were on their feet celebrating. Some of them are intentional.

Mr. Sippy was the announcer’s choice going into the final innings to rouse the Marlins to victory.

Alas, it ended in another defeat as the Tartan Army walked away from Londepot Park and have now seen Rangers win more World Cups than Scotland. It’s a strange time.

There is still time to change that and, most notably on the trip, there were the odd moment of serendipity that could be seen as a good omen.

Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland hero John, caught an errant baseball as it bounced off a bat and bounced off a metal railing straight into his grasp.

another city Another ballpark. Another tartan army love-in.

Scotland’s final Group C game against Brazil on Wednesday could go a long way in deciding whether there is another chapter in this holiday romance.