Yankees keeping iPads out of Bronx stadium

If any gadgety types can't decide where their allegiances lie with New York baseball teams, consider this: Apple Computer's latest shiny gizmo, the iPad, is banned at Yankee Stadium but welcome at the Mets' Citi Field.

A Yankees representative said Monday that all portable computers, including the iPad, present unique screening challenges and aren't allowed for security reasons under the stadium's "no laptops" rule.

The iPad, a flat multimedia device that lacks a keyboard, was first released to the public in April.

Predictably, bloggers and tweeters blogged and tweeted about the ban with abandon Monday. Yahoo Sports reported that Spacekatgal, a commentator on video game site IGN.com, complained that she was recently turned away from the stadium when she attempted to carry in her iPad.

"Why on earth would they have this policy? Terrorism concerns? I couldn't get an answer. I snuck it in under my jacket. . . . I bring it to Fenway all the time and they don't care," she wrote.

A Mets representative said Monday that portable computers, including iPads and e-book reader devices such as the Amazon Kindle, are allowed at Citi Field in Queens, but fans have to show that the devices turn on.

The Yankee's "no laptop" rule is several years old, and no change in policy is expected officials said. Stadium policy also bans any device that "may interfere with and/or distract any sports participant, other patron, audio or audio/visual telecast or recording of the game or any technology-related service provided in Yankee Stadium."

A message left for an Apple representative was not returned Monday.