Columbia pitching coach Tom Carty works on the hole in the mound. (Shotgun Spratling)

Ivy League: Top-seed eliminated; tournament moved after carpet malfunction

NEW YORK — Columbia head coach Brett Boretti was down on his hands and knees pushing pellets around, trying to smooth the surface beneath the top layer of field turf on the Satow Stadium pitcher’s mound. As has been a bugaboo in the past where Northeast weather conditions are combined with metal cleats, there was a rip in the field turf carpet in the spot where most pitchers land with their lead foot.

On a dirt mound, when a hole forms in the landing area, the mound can be repaired. Clean out loose dirt, pack in new mud, then tamp,[…]