Today’s edition is sponsored by Park46 Real Estate.
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Welcome to the Playbook!
It is time for another week of the 2025-26 prep sports year! The Playbook takes you inside the East Bay Athletic League, writing about outlooks, updates and insights into all the sports, along with profiles of athletes, and opinions regarding controversial issues in high school sport.
The Big Picture is all about the Livermore Stampede that takes place this week. The softball tournament is the top event in Northern California and this year’s tournament is strong as always.
EBAL Power Rankings do not have much movement this week as the teams hit the midpoint of the EBAL season.
What to Watch has the full schedule for the Livermore Stampede. Take some time to head out for the best softball in Northern California.
The Fast Five lets everyone know about the Playbook this week. See my favorites this week! If you love classic rock, we will be good friends.
If you know of a great story or have any questions, please reach out either by email at acesgolf@aol.com or by phone at 925-200-0719.
From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor
Livermore hosting who’s who of NorCal softball in Stampede tournament
It’s a spring ritual when it comes to local prep sporting events as the Livermore Stampede rides into town this week. It is arguably the top high school softball tournament in Northern California.
Power Rankings as of April 7.
EBAL SOFTBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (9-3, 5-1): The Wolves topped Casa Grande 7-1, then beat Monte Vista to end the week. Lone loss to Carondelet early but they redeemed the loss two weeks ago.
2. Carondelet (7-2, 3-1): The Cougars stay in the No. 2 spot for now as they open the Livermore Stampede with a loaded Willow Glen team.
3. Livermore (10-1, 5-0): The Cowboys keep rolling, beating Granada 9-2, then Dublin 16-4 to stay unbeaten in EBAL play.
4. California (6-3, 2-2): The Grizzlies fall 5-4 to Foothill but will stay in the top five for now.
5. Granada (7-4. 4-2): The Mats fell 9-2 to Livermore but came back with a solid 9-1 win over Amador Valley.
Others: Amador Valley (5-6-1, 2-3), Foothill (7-7, 1-4), Dublin (5-10, 1-4), Monte Vista (3-8, 2-3), Dougherty Valley (0-8, 0-5).
EBAL BASEBALL
1. De La Salle (9-3, 3-0): The Spartans go down south and take a prestigious tournament. They have yet to lose on the field, with their three losses coming via forfeit.
2. Foothill (7-4, 3-0): The Falcons made the most of their one game last week, beating Dougherty Valley, 10-1.
3. Dublin (8-3, 2-2): The Gaels played once last week and beat Granada by a 4-2 final.
4. Monte Vista (6-4, 2-1): Got a big 6-1 win over crosstown rival San Ramon Valley.
5. San Ramon Valley (7-3, 2-2): The Wolves drop Livermore 4-3, then came back and fell to Monte Vista.
Others: Granada (6-5, 3-1), Amador Valley (6-6, 1-2), California (6-4-1, 0-3), Livermore (3-9, 0-4), Dougherty Valley (2-9, 1-3).
EBAL BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Livermore (20-4, 6-2): The Cowboys were 10-3 at one point and have rattled off a 10-1 record since to keep the top spot. Wins over Monte Vista and Amador Valley keep the run going.
2. Dublin (17-3, 6-1): Big week for the Gaels as they sweep both the Pleasanton schools, beating Amador Valley then Foothill.
3. San Ramon Valley (17-7, 7-0): The Wolves are the lone unbeaten team in the EBAL but have some tough matches awaiting after spring break.
4. De La Salle (12-10, 5-3): The Spartans took care of business against Cal but then lost 3-2 to San Ramon Valley to end the week.
5. Foothill (12-9, 5-3): The Falcons had been the hottest team in the league but just fell to San Ramon Valley 3-2, then Dublin 3-0.
Others: Granada (16-6, 4-4), Amador Valley (13-10, 1-7), California (13-9, 4-4), Monte Vista (11-9, 1-7), Dougherty Valley (7-14, 0-8).
Livermore Stampede Softball Tournament
Thursday (April 9)
Ernie Rodrigues Fields Field 1: Carondelet vs. Willow Glen, 9 a.m.; Livermore vs. Casa Grande, 11 a.m.; Freedom vs. Willow Glen, 1 p.m.; Freedom vs. Casa Grande, 3 p.m.; Sheldon vs. Eagle, 5 p.m.; Livermore vs. Eagle, 7 p.m.
Field 2: California vs. Saint Francis, 9:15 a.m.; San Ramon Valley vs. Granada, 11:15 a.m.; College Park vs. Saint Francis, 1:15 p.m.; Liberty vs. Granada, 3:15 p.m.; College Park vs. Whitney, 5:15 p.m.; Liberty vs. Alameda, 7:15 p.m.
Friday (April 10)
Ernie Rodrigues Fields Field 1: Casa Grande vs. Sheldon, 9 a.m.; Casa Grande vs. Eagle, 11 a.m.; Livermore vs. Sheldon, 1 p.m.; Castro Valley vs. Carondelet, 3 p.m.; Castro Valley vs. Willow Glen, 5 p.m.; Freedom vs. Carondelet, 7 p.m.
Field 2: California vs. College Park, 9:15 a.m.; California vs. Whitney, 11:15 a.m.; Saint Francis vs. Whitney, 1:15 p.m.; Liberty vs. San Ramon Valley, 3:15 p.m.; Alameda vs. San Ramon Valley, 5:15 p.m.; Alameda vs. Granada, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday (April 11)
Roundup Flight: Games at 8 a.m., 12 noon, TBD; at Ernie Rodrigues Fields, Livermore High, Granada High
Bronco Flight: Games at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., TBD; at Ernie Rodrigues Fields.
Stampede Flight: Games at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., TBD; at Ernie Rodrigues Fields.
Championship Flight: Games at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., TBD; at Ernie Rodrigues Fields.
A refreshingly honest approach to Tri-Valley Real Estate
Park46 Real Estate is proudly rooted in our community and fiercely committed to results. As a boutique brokerage, we blend local insight, strategic marketing, and sharp negotiation to elevate every buying and selling experience. Real relationships. Real expertise. Real results. Visit Park46.com.
Pleasanton Preps: Foothill boys’ volleyball sweeps De La Salle, Amador
This time, the Falcons kicked it into yet another gear, sweeping De La Salle and Amador Valley.
A century of Castlewood: Tracing the evolution from Hearst hacienda to golf club to modern hub for recreation
Perched partway up the southwestern hills is an epicenter of recreational and social activity that evokes the past, present and future of Pleasanton.
We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. This week it’s me!
Name: Dennis Miller
School and grade: Amador Valley (1979)
Sport: Soccer, baseball
Favorite streaming channel and favorite show: Peacock / “Dan Patrick Show”.
Favorite genre music and favorite performer: Classic rock / Sammy Hagar, Metallica, Def Leppard.
Who is a must follow on social media: Nick Bosa (nbsmallerbear), Def Leppard (defleppard).
Favorite fast-food restaurant and meal: Chick-fil-A / spicy chicken sandwich, waffle fries, honey mustard sauce.
Favorite quote: “It is what it is.” (attributed to many). “Don’t stress about things you can’t control.”
Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.
Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.
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