Maddon: Short season 'perfect time' for MLB to experiment with rules, ideas

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon wants to see Major League Baseball experiment with some new rules and ideas when the coronavirus work stoppage ends.

Maddon doesn't expect a full 162-game season after Opening Day was pushed back to at least mid-May, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

However, he'd like to see the league go with neutral playoff sites in warm-weather locations or in stadiums with retractable roofs.

"It's a perfect time to create a different method that should (bring in) new and younger fans," the 66-year-old skipper said. "I think the traditionalists just want to see the game, period."

If the league is trying new things, Maddon's in favor of having fans hear what players say on the field during regular-season contests.

"Under those circumstances, I would be all for players being mic'd-up, like that game where (Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant) did during our spring training game," Maddon said.

"I think that would be entertaining and interesting. I think the 20-second clock (between pitches), it would be a perfect time to have that implemented. Things of that nature, like adding the runner on second base (to start) the 12th inning."