ABC’s 2016 National Craft Championships (NCC) gold medalists were honored before an audience of more than 40,000 at a July 1 baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Before the game, the champions and their families were given all-access passes to the field and were able to watch batting practice, followed by a picnic hosted by ABC in the fairgrounds just outside the stadium. As spectators filed into the stadium, the champions stood on the field while their names were announced over the public address system—recognizing them, their companies and their NCC gold medals during the pre-game ceremony. 

Following the pre-game ceremony, Jonathan Christenberry threw out the first pitch while Paul Bryan delivered the line-up card to the umpires at home plate. Then John Luppacchino kicked off the game by making the “play ball” announcement before the first inning. The champions were able to watch the rest of the game from a suite sponsored by Acton Mobile.