Livermore Hosts Celebrity Bocce Ball Tourney

Written by Beatrice Karnes

The 15th Annual Battle of the Bay Bocce Ball Tournament brought former NFL coaches, serious bocce ball teams and a gaggle of nuns from Ann Arbor, Michigan together in Livermore this week. More about the nuns later.

The tournament is hosted by former 49ers Head Coach Steve Mariucci and former Raiders Head Coach, broadcaster and video game frontman John Madden at Campo di Bocce of Livermore.

While participants were treated to lots of great food, drinks, and a silent auction in addition to the bocce ball, the goal is raising money for charity.

Mariucci told ABC7 that the tournament has been enormously successful over the past 15 years, “We’ve raised nearly $4 million.”

Added Madden, “It’s all for kids charity and we do a lot for Special Olympics, juvenile diabetes, the high schools.” Tri-Valley high school football programs receive some of the money raised.

Now, about those nuns. They’re members of the Nun Better bocce team from Ann Arbor, flown in as ringers by Madden.

And how did Team Madden do? They edged out Team Mariucci by a point. Maybe we’ll see the nuns again next year.

If you’re inspired to give bocce ball a try, Campo di Bocce of Livermore is located at 175 E Vineyard Ave., Livermore, 94550.