Detroit council honors Prince Valley supermarket and U18 Detroit Tigers RBI world champions

Detroit City Council on Sept. 9 honored two local pillars: Prince Valley supermarket, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Detroit Tigers Nike RBI U18 softball team, which won a world championship in Vero Beach, Fla.

Council member Santiago Romero introduced Prince Valley’s owners and praised the store’s role in District 6 as a long-running employer and community resource. A Prince Valley representative said the store employs about 110 people, sells roughly 1,000 hot tamales per day and operates bakery and deli departments that serve neighborhood families.

The council then recognized the Detroit Tigers Nike RBI girls team. Council member Vincent and Matthew Williams, manager of baseball-growth initiatives for the Detroit Tigers, thanked the Detroit Tigers Foundation, Nike and other community partners for supporting the program that produced a U18 world champion. Tracy Rubin, Powell softball commissioner, and coaches who attended recounted the team’s progress from regional play in St. Louis to the title game in Vero Beach.

“These young ladies have brought pride, honor and distinction back to the city of Detroit,” Council member Vincent said, urging players to pursue college and other athletic opportunities. Matthew Williams said the Tigers organization took over the Nike RBI program about three years ago and ‘‘in three years, we brought back a championship.’”

The recognitions concluded with council members inviting the honorees and team members to take photographs with the council. The council then returned to the regular agenda and opened the public-comment period.