Last year, softball teams in the East Penn Conference participated in a Play Purple Day for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Awareness, inspired by Nazareth player Toni Anne Hahn, and suggested by her coach Tony Cocca.

This year, the EPC softball teams will participate in Play Electric Blue Day for Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome Awareness, inspired by Owen Howkins, and suggested by Liberty coach Sam Carrodo.

Owen is the boy from England whom Carrodo first saw on an ESPN documentary, which told the story of Owen’s rare muscle disease and his bond with his dog Haatchi.

Carrodo friended Owen on Facebook, introduced Owen to his players via Skype, and quickly adopted Owen as part of the Liberty Hurricanes softball family.

“Owen has inspired these kids to go beyond what they can do. They don’t want to disappoint him. He’s part of our family,” Carrodo said last year.

At a recent EPC softball coaches meeting, Carrodo proposed this year’s Play Day be for Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome, for which the coaches voted yes.

On April 27 players will wear electric blue socks and electric blue headbands.

“Everybody in the league will do it,” Carrodo said.

Liberty will host William Allen that day and will be selling electric blue shirts at the game. The Hurricanes are also planning on having a bake sale during the school day.

Also on April 27, Freedom will host Bethlehem Catholic.