High heat, drop kicks, random observations and points that amuse are all part of the wide, wide world of sports at the community and national levels.

I need to thank the “Tartan Army” again.

As you’ll recall, a few columns ago, I expressed my gratitude to soccer fans from Scotland (nicknamed the Tartan Army) for the good vibes they brought to America when they were here for the men’s World Cup. Now, I’m grateful to them for getting me back on track with my dream U.S. pickleball/spectator sport/music sightseeing tour.

Over a series of columns, I’ve shared most of my ideal stops. So far, I’ve covered Kansas City; Clear Lake, Iowa; Minneapolis; Seattle; San Francisco; Los Angeles; Lubbock and Austin, both in Texas; New Orleans; Memphis and Nashville, both in Tennessee; Atlanta; Athens, Ga.; and two spots in New Jersey. The next stop is one the Tartan Army visited during its American visit – Boston.

According to Google AI, there’s a plethora of options for playing pickleball in the Boston metr…