Journalist Doug Golightly has been appointed manager of the Black Sox team

Golightly, who is the editor of Sky Sport - the Magazine and skysport.co.nz as well as host of the popular radio show the Saturday Dugout on Radio Sport, is the second major
appointment for the national men's softball team as they look ahead to the 2013 world championships to be held at North Shore City's Rosedale Park. The first major appointment was re-appointing head coach Eddie Kohlhase.

For Golightly this will be the first time he has taken on a management role of a national sports team and it is one that he is eagerly looking forward to "Sport has given me a lot of enjoyment and this was a chance to give something back," Golightly said.

"I am a great admirer of what the Black Sox have achieved and the way they've gone about pursuing excellence. Being part of an outfit that has so much to offer presents a wonderful opportunity for the players and the management. I feel privileged to be part of that."

However, it is a two-way relationship with Softball New Zealand General Manager Dane Dougan equally as pleased to have someone of Golightly's background involved with the Black Sox team.

"Doug's background in sports journalism and his dealings with numerous managers from different codes will hold him in good stead to bring an exciting and fresh approach to the role," Dougan said.

Golightly will meet with Kohlhase in the coming weeks as they start to map out the plan for 2013.

"We're all starting from scratch, so this represents a new era, a new beginning for the team," Golightly said.

The first team since the side finished second to Australia at last year's world championship is Saskatoon, Canada will be named after next month's men's club championships in Christchurch and it is expected there will be a few new faces to the team for a trip to North America.