MIAMI \u2014 Fans from around the world packed into loanDepot Park ahead of the World Baseball Classic championship, turning the ballpark into a global gathering place as Team USA prepared to face Venezuela in Tuesday night\u2019s final.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just looking for a great game of baseball,\u201d one fan said.<\/p>\n
Inside the team store, jerseys and hats flew off the shelves as international pride was on full display.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came here the day after Japan lost so I\u2019m finding this really hilarious,\u201d said fan Shogo Sezaki. \u201cIt says Japan undefeated. But now you\u2019re defeated. Yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some, getting to Miami was simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst time ever that Venezuela goes to a final I\u2019m from Miami so I\u2019m representing today I\u2019m trying to buy some jerseys,\u201d said Benjamin Jara.<\/p>\n
For others, it took much more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe drove 23 hours straight through overnight,\u201d said Ava and Jenny Solar, fans visiting from Kansas City.<\/p>\n
The matchup between the United States and Venezuela marks the championship game of the tournament, which has drawn fans from across the globe to Miami for all three rounds.<\/p>\n
Even the youngest fans felt the weight of the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cVenezuela vs. USA and who do you hope wins?\u201d Local 10\u2019s Saira Anwar asked a 10-year-old fan named Adrian. <\/p>\n
\u201cVenezuela!\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
For Venezuelan supporters, the game represents more than baseball \u2014 it\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me emotional when I see them win,\u201d Adrian added.<\/p>\n
Others said the team\u2019s success has united a nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really happy for everything that\u2019s happening in our country and this it\u2019s very significant for Venezuela,\u201d another fan said. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure the whole entire country is gonna be like they\u2019re gonna stop everything they\u2019re doing. They\u2019re gonna watch the game today.\u201d<\/p>\n
With first pitch approaching, every swing is expected to carry meaning far beyond South Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a national sentiment right now. We\u2019re in the finals, Nicol\u00e1s Maduro is in prison. It\u2019s like we\u2019re celebrating everything right,\u201d another fan said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be like the cherry on top to win today I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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