Application: Raising and lowering backstop safety netting at Wrigley Field
Customer: Strata Contractors LLC
Location: Chicago, IL
Hoist Model: Columbia HG5600-2A17-L-02 AC Electric Hoist
Performance:
- Line Pull: 5,600 pounds on the first layer
- Line Speed: 7.7 feet per minute on the first layer
- Wire Rope Capacity: 100 feet x 7/16″ diameter wire rope with latching hook, supplied loose
- Power Source: 208 VAC / Three phase / 60 Hz
Special Features:
- NEMA 6 hand-held pendant control with 15′ lead
- Quick disconnect for pendant at control panel
- Weather-resistant design for outdoor stadium use
- Detachable controls to prevent unauthorized operation
Why APPI:
Major League Baseball’s enhanced safety requirements for foul ball protection have transformed how stadiums approach spectator safety. When Wrigley Field needed to comply with new MLB mandates requiring protective netting along both baselines extending to the outfield bleachers, they contracted Strata Contractors LLC to engineer and install a removable backstop netting system.
The challenge was unique: the iconic stadium hosts not only baseball games but also concerts and special events, making permanent netting installations impractical. The backstop netting system needed to be quickly deployable and removable while maintaining the structural integrity required for spectator protection.
Tim Swiatowiec, project manager for Strata Contractors, approached Allied Power Products, Inc. (APPI) with specific requirements: hoists capable of providing 4,000 pounds of line pull with 100 feet of travel at the hook. The timeline was aggressive, and the solution needed to withstand Chicago’s harsh weather conditions year-round.
Through collaborative engineering discussions between Strata Contractors and APPI’s technical team, the specifications were refined and the optimal solution was identified. Together, they determined that two Columbia HG5600 AC electric hoists would provide the necessary performance margins and reliability for this critical safety application.
Key features of this jointly developed backstop netting hoist system include:
- Dual hoist configuration – One unit for each baseline net, providing independent operation and redundancy for safety-critical applications
- NEMA 6 rated controls – Weather-resistant control boxes and pendants designed to withstand Chicago’s extreme weather conditions when left exposed
- Quick-disconnect pendants – Detachable controls prevent unauthorized operation while allowing easy setup by trained personnel
- Precise load transfer capability – Once netting is positioned, load transfers from the hoist rigging line to static support lines for secure installation
The system operates by hoisting the rigging lines and nets into position, then transferring the load to permanent static lines for game-day security. This approach ensures both spectator safety and operational flexibility for the stadium’s diverse event schedule.
Recognizing the tight installation timeline, Strata Contractors utilized APPI’s expedited service to receive the backstop netting hoists within three days of order placement. This rapid response enabled Wrigley Field to meet MLB compliance deadlines while maintaining their full event schedule.
The successful implementation of this backstop netting system demonstrates how collaborative engineering can address complex safety requirements while preserving the operational flexibility essential to modern stadium management.
Given the short notice to get this system installed, Tim opted for APPI’s expedited service to get the hoists in 3 days. Sorry, but it’s only fair to call this one a home run.
For more information about these backstop netting hoists or any of APPI’s other specialized products and services for stadium and entertainment venues, please contact Allied Power Products, Inc. With over 30 years of experience in providing winches, hoists, capstans, and cranes tailored to specific application requirements, APPI continues to be a trusted partner in the sports and entertainment industry.
