Maddon hopes MLB uses technology to better engage with fans

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon has used his time during baseball's hiatus to stay connected with people - and not just players and staff within the organization.

Maddon's taken part in online cocktail parties with Angels season-ticket holders, has ridden his bicycle with a GoPro camera for the team's YouTube channel, and is planning more. He believes establishing and maintaining that type of connection with fans should be a league-wide initiative.

"I've been trying to get MLB to buy into it and trying to get guys interested," Maddon said Friday, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. "In April, when kids are still in school, a guy can speak to a class at 10 a.m. from his hotel room or in his kitchen, and we can have such an impact. That’s just us (the Angels). That's one team. Times 30, what does that do to a young boy or girl when they get to interact with Mike Trout or Aaron Judge? It's a heavy, positive impact."

Maddon's been using Skype to connect with fans since he was manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. And given all the technology that's readily accessible, he's hopeful that increased interactions with fans will keep happening after the shutdown ends.

"I'm going to continue to do it, and we have done it. I would love to see it on a greater scale, with a larger-scale organizational platform by using Zoom, Google, all these different platforms," Maddon said.

The 66-year-old joined the Angels last offseason after spending five years at the helm of the Chicago Cubs.