As CIO of the San Francisco Giants, Bill Schlough is responsible for the technologies that support activities as diverse the stadium's turnstile system, lighting system, and Wi-Fi. While the team has only 150 front office employees, the user base consists of all the fans who come to a game. In a Q&A with Kym McNicholas of Forbes, Schlough talks about his fears, hopes and latest projects.

"My biggest fear...is the screen in the stadium goes black during a game," he said. 

One of the biggest IT initiatives for the Giants lately has been providing Wi-Fi throughout the stadium so fans can use their cellphones and smartphones during games. The team is also providing content, which has been a major focus for Schlough. Fans in the ball park have limited opportunities to see replays of controversial plays up on the screen, but those with smartphones can see them repeatedly from a number of angles, Schlough said.

Meanwhile in the American League, the iPad has been banned at Yankee Stadium, reports InformationWeek's Paul McDougall. The tablet computer has joined the ranks of such taboo objects as video cameras, knives and firearms, because it could distract fans and create a safety hazard when bats or balls come flying into the stands.

MLB reportedly allows each team to make its own call on devices like the iPad. Fans of the Mets, Mariners and Angels are welcome to bring their tablet computers to their home stadiums, McDougall reports. 

For more:
- see Kym McNicholas' article at Forbes
- see Paul McDougall's article at InformationWeek

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