The captains of JPS Classic Luke "Micmac" Ascolillo and Heather "Cheaddar" Mernitz were generous enough to give up some of their time - which will soon be filled with recruiting, lineup adjustments and undoubtedly a few arguments - to let you all get to know them, their approach to their new team and the upcoming season.

JPS Online - This split has been a long time coming, how do you like the way your roster has shaped up?

LUKE - I am fairly pleased with the way the draft went. Of course some of the familiar faces over the years will surely be missed, however, the split had to be done.

HEATHER - There are many people I will dearly miss, but I guess any split comes with some separation anxiety. But I like the way both rosters have shaped up. JPS softball wouldn't have been the same for me without such standards as Luke with his massive rock maple bat, Fish (who I still think should've received most belligerent last year), Mitts Andres and his Zebramobile, and the constant entertainment provided by Dom, Eric, and LederJay. I'm excited about welcoming back estranged veterans Raina, Melissa, Maggie, and Marvelous Marvin and welcoming in some new players (Matt, Dave and Jessa). And I will make it my personal mission to lean on Cheryl to make it to more games this year as we will really need her big bat and her defensive skills.

You are taking over for two very successful captains - Rube who brought this team together and got their first championship, and Uncle Cliff who led them to two titles in three years - what do you plan on doing similarly or differently from them? How do you plan to live up to some pretty high expectations?

H - I plan to beg them every week to come to our games and give me and Luke advice and support. Like new Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, I think our goal will be "to maintain continuity with the policies and policy strategies under the Greenspan era." Except substitute "Rube/Uncle Cliff" for "Greenspan".

What player were you most surprised and satisfied by getting?

L - Surprised, I would have to go for Jay. I was under the impression that
people could go undrafted. Satisfied, I would say Fish. Who else would
I be able to talk politics with?

H - There were big debates over many players - with such a strong bunch, it was hard to make decisions when both teams wanted good players. But I think I am most happy with Andy Andres. I still maintain that he is a true veteran and belongs on JPS Classic. Of course, as I write this, Uncle Cliff and Tybor may be laying plans for getting him back on their roster.

What player on the other team are you not looking forward to playing against?

H - Oh man, the entire squad! I mean, we know the dangers of Tybor, Uncle Cliff, Rube, Paco, and Obes at the plate. But I guess I'm more worried about the unknown talent. There are a lot of names on that roster that promise to be major players this season (Warner and Crosier to name a few!). And they have a very solid contingent of ladies, including star hurler Grits Barret and demon hitters MK, Finch, Nancy, and Coco. I'm worried about having to hit off our their awesome pitching staff, but I'm also not looking forward to getting a taste of their cannon arms and quick defense and having to be on the other bench when that JPS team strings together a rally of three or four dingers in a row.

Two of the major journalistic contributors to the site, Borat and the Deez, were split up in this process, which team made out better on that deal?

L - The other team (answer applies to both teams)

Do you have any predictions for your team this season?

L - Heck no, predictions only come back to bite you in the ass...

H - Heck, I'm just hoping that people show up. Like our first few years, I plan to go in with no real expectations and just try to have fun and build back up to the elite level that we attained after years of building the initial JPS team. On of our goals of drafting a veteran squad was to bring it back to the old days of welcoming in all new talent and finding a place for everyone on the field. I envision us returning to the idyllic state of encouraging new players and cheering them on as they improve, of cheering and laughing as Deez struts around the bases kissing his biceps as he tries to turn a double into a home run, of being ever-impressed by the creative ways Fish finds to be belligerent, of yelling at Jay as he overthrows first base for the eighth time in a single inning, of making fun of Marvin as he tries a "fancy" pitch and throws ten feet behind the batter, and of feeling like an idiot as I trip over my feet in right field chasing a ball. I hope for wins, but I also hope for the old days of margaritas on the field and popsicles and....ahh, those were the glory days.

You were able to pick up Cheryl Milligan in the draft, what do you think she will do for this new team, on and off the field?

L - I think Cheryl will be a great person to have on our team. While I haven't played with her much in the past, the few games I was on the field with her she brought an excitement and competitiveness that I respect tremendously. I think she will be a big part of our success.

While both teams look solid, they are obviously thinner than last year's single team. How are you planning on addressing this? Are there any unconventional defensive alignments or batting orders we might see?

H - Luke and I will have to confer on this one. Actually, my plan if we were short on personnel was to beg Brandon, Uncle Cliff, and anyone else who I could find on short notice to come help us out.

How do you see the chances of a JPS team taking the title this season: Twice as many chances or twice as hard?

L - I think both teams have a good chance. Competition is getting thin and it looks like a couple of teams are on the downslide. If we work real hard and everyone gives it their all (anyone buying this yet?)...