Road to the White House travels through Riverside Field

On May 15, 1960, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy took some time out of his busy Presidential campaign schedule to make a stop at Riverside Field to visit with Riverside Little League families, and take part in the Opening Day Ceremonies.

After greeting the crowd, and signing some autographs, Senator Kennedy was asked to draw a Ping-Pong ball out of a batting helmet to determine which two Riverside Little League teams had the honor of playing in front of the large crowd. The two teams that played that day were Morrison Oil Company and Ainsworth Food Center.

Tom Hannibal, 12 years old in 1960, held the helmet for the ping-pong drawing by Sen. Kennedy. Hannibal returned to Riverside Field Saturday, May 15, 2010 to throw out a first pitch during a celebration that marked the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's visit.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM and THE OREGON JOURNAL. ALSO READ THE OREGONIAN COVERAGE ABOUT JOHN F KENNEDY VISIT TO RIVERSIDE FIELD

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/05/john_f_kennedy_visits_riversid.html