The former Canterbury Red Sox head coach assisted Mark Sorenson at the 2015 world championships but said family and business commitments meant he could no longer continue in that role.
New Zealand Black Sox's team manager Jayden Moore.
The former Canterbury Red Sox head coach assisted Mark Sorenson at the 2015 world championships but said family and business commitments meant he could no longer continue in that role.
Franklin said he had agreed to remain a national selector and would attend domestic tournaments, but he could no longer devote the time to touring with the team.
He owns a tiling retail and installation company in Christchurch and his general manager Jayden Moore, has just been appointed Black Sox team manager up to the 2017 world championships.
"It breaks my heart a little bit [to step down as assistant coach], but I am still going to be involved as  selector and at training camps.
"But with Jayden working for me, we both can't be away for five weeks [on Black Sox tours]."
Franklin believed he and Sorenson had "worked well together" and he had enjoyed working with the rest of the management group.
"There are plenty of good people in New Zealand softball who can help out."
Franklin said he was pleased for Moore, who had been "involved with the Black Sox for a long time".
Moore, the Canterbury Softball Association chairman, was the Canterbury Red Sox manager for seven years and has been involved with the Black Sox since 2007 as a manager, assistant manager and support services coordinator.
Moore has  experienced 11 national and international tours with the side, including three world championships.
"I'm confident in my ability and feel the time is now right for me to step up", said Moore, who has been involved in softball for 33 years. "I find it is often important to be the quiet guy in the background, solving problems and potential conflicts before anyone notices them so the players and coaches are able to concentrate on what they do best."Â
Meanwhile, former Canterbury Red Hawks women's team coach Carl Tuinenga has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand Girls Emerging Sox team.
Tuinenga, a former pitcher, coached the Red Hawks women's team from 2011 to 2015 and has coached the Papanui and Albion senior club teams.
He has been the coach of the New Zealand Development Girls since 2013. "With the assistance of a strong management team, it's my goal to introduce these players to international softball and assist in building them into future national players."
 - Stuff
