Ken Krsolovic, a longtime baseball mentor from Concord Township, Ohio, has just been appointed head coach of the Slovenian National Baseball Team, a role that will see him guide his new side through the upcoming European Baseball Championship.
A Connection Through a Cab Driver
The appointment traces back to a chance encounter: a friend named Ken Godnavec introduced Krsolovic to a Slovenian cab driver who opened the door to the national team's inner circle. That brief meeting set in motion a journey that would carry the coach across continents and cultures.
Krsolovic's coaching résumé stretches back to the late 1990s, when he steered the Croatian National Team, and more recently served as an assistant with that same squad from 2019 through 2023. His path has also wound through stints at John Carroll University, St. Joseph's University, Lake Erie College, and Harford Junior College, as well as roles as an umpire and with the Lake Erie Crushers and the Captains.
Family on the Dugout
His son Ronnie, currently a hitting coach at Kenyon College and a former Croatian national team player, will travel to Slovenia to assist his father. Adding another layer of family involvement, daughter Jenny works for the Captains as a director of partnership sales, while his wife Lisa remains a steady presence back home.
Championship Outlook
The European Baseball Championship brings together 26 nations under a promotion‑relegation format reminiscent of European soccer. Slovenia will compete in Pool B, and Krsolovic's mission is clear: secure promotion to Pool A in the next tournament cycle. He stresses that timing, preparation, and mental readiness are as vital on the field as they are in life.