U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Drop in on San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class(PJ) Michelle L. Turner

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 33,000 San Diego Padres baseball fans watched eight members of the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, parachute into Petco Park in San Diego during the opening ceremony of the Padres' 2011 Military Opening Day, April 10.

The game, part of Major League Baseball's opening week, marked the Leap Frogs' first performance in their home city this year.

"It was fantastic," said Karen Madden, the Padres' entertainment coordinator. "It was an honor and a privilege to have the Leap Frogs as part of the Padres' 2011 Military Opening Day."

Fans clapped and cheered as members of the team entered the baseball stadium with the word 'SEAL' embroidered on their blue and gold canopies.

"I loved it, it was so amazing!" said Verna Brawley, a Padres fan. "It looked like they were being blown away from the wind and then they all came together and landed in the stadium with such precision. They made it look so easy."

The Leap Frogs stacked their parachutes in the air to form 'biplanes' during the performance and the last jumper flew a large American flag to close the show.

The Leap Frogs brought the crowd to their feet and were followed by the Marine Corps Band San Diego's rendition of the national anthem shortly afterward.

"As SEALs, we're really America's away team," said Chief Warrant Officer (SEAL) Keith Pritchett, a member of the Leap Frogs. "It's always great to be able to perform at home and to be able to show San Diegans how much we appreciate their support."

The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations across America in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy Recruiting.