Michigan welcomes return of America’s favorite pastime
Energy is a prominent player
March 19, 2025
Grab your favorite cap. Prepare to hear the whoosh of the ball and the cracking of bats.
Get ready to embrace the traditions that span generations or perhaps start new traditions.
Beyond winter’s thaw, this time of year fills many Michiganders with anticipation for baseball—whether it’s to watch little leaguers or the pros.
Yes, Michigan. It’s time.
After earning a playoff spot with an 86-76 record in 2024, the Detroit Tigers are ready to embark on the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The Tigers take aim at their first American League Central Division pennant since 2014 this spring, and will take the field for their home opener April 4 at Detroit’s Comerica Park versus the Chicago White Sox.
“Line 5 plays an important role in the creation of more than 6,000 products, from baseball batting gloves to the hard plastics used in helmets to prevent injuries.”
—Paul Meneghini, Enbridge community engagement manager
Minor leaguers will suit up as well.
The Lansing Lugnuts, a minor-league baseball team in the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will start the year on the road April 4 against the Fort Wayne Tincaps in Indiana.
Whether it’s in The Show or the minors, at least one player won’t be in uniform, but still has tremendous influence on America’s storied pastime.
“From batting helmets to chest protectors to the baseballs themselves, the light crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) Enbridge’s Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac transports safely each day play a prominent role in baseball,” said Paul Meneghini, Enbridge’s manager of Community Engagement in Michigan.
Each day, the Line 5 pipeline transports 540,000 barrels of light crude oil, light synthetic crude oil and NGLs—including propane, ethane and butane.
Fans also experience the benefits derived from the products Line 5 transports.
Along with supporting the manufacture of the televisions for fans watching the games at home, NGLs are essential to producing stadium seating, as well as the scoreboard and big screens that dot Comerica Park.
Not to be forgotten? Fan-favorite foods.
Many of these ballpark eats—a good old-fashioned hot dog or cheeseburger, taco or a slice of Little Caesars Pizza—rely on energy for cooking and grilling.
“I look forward to tailgating and firing up the propane BBQ grill and sharing good times with friends. When I go to the ballpark at Jackson Field where the Lugnuts play, I like a bratwurst,” continued Meneghini.
“Line 5 reliably is doing its part throughout the stadium, and we hope that contributes to the Tigers and Lugnuts each having a winning season,” said Meneghini.
It’s getting time for the umpires to shout: “Play ball!”
