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The 14th annual Future Games took place on July 22-27 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2026 and 2027 participated in one of the most popular events each year.

For the first time ever, the state of California brought two teams: Team NorCal and Team SoCal. 

We caught up with some of the state's standout performers to hear about their highlights on the weekend, overall experience at LakePoint, and what their recruitment process has looked like since the August 1st deadline has been reached.

Ira Rootman, 2027, OF, Harvard-Westlake

This season for Harvard-Westlake, Rootman hit .351 while swiping 13 bags. Additionally, Rootman showed some pop, hitting two home runs on the year.

Prep Baseball CA: Assess your performance at this year's Future Games.

Rootman: "Being out there last year, I knew how to carry myself this time around and learned from last summer from my teammates how to approach the weekend as a whole. Just like last year, it was really an amazing event that provided us with the best opportunites possible. I was really satisfied with my performance. I went into the event with a strong approach and aggresive mentality which helped me out a lot. The first pitch I saw I hit 101 MPH EV to my opposite side and it kept going from there."

Prep Baseball CA: What was it like seeing all of the college coaches/scouts for the first time?

Rootman: "The amount of coaches there was crazy. Everything I did was being evaluated and it was cool to be watched by so many coaches and scouts."

Prep Baseball CA: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.

Rootman: "Our first two games were against North and South Texas. When you talk about the best baseball in the country, you really think about California and Texas. Being able to peform against the best in front of college coaches and scouts and compete against high velocity and great talent was an amazing opportunity. The competiton will and has gotten better every year."

Prep Baseball CA: What adivce would you give to a player who will be at Future Games next summer?

Rootman: "My biggest advice to someone who is going to come out to LakePoint prior to August 1st is to be as aggressive as possible. My experience throughout this process has tought me that college coaches and scouts love the players who carry themselves well and give it your all every play."

Prep Baseball CA: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?

Rootman: "It's such a surreal experience. Ever since I started playing baseball, I've been working towards gettting a college scholarship and play for a national title. I've been fortunate enough to talk to a lot of different people and have a lot of interest expressed in me. It's a super cool time for my family and I and it all coming to fruition is amazing."

On September 14th, Rootman took to social media to announce his commitment to the University of Texas.

Prep Baseball CA: What was it like playing alongside J. Beckett Berg on Team SoCal, a pitcher who plays for your school's biggest rival?

Rootman: "Obviously, there's a lot of rivalry there. Outside of the season, getting a chance to get really close with him during the weekend was awesome. He's been a lot of help with the whole recuirtment process. Once school season comes back around, I'm ready to crush all those dreams. He's a great friend, but once we step on the field, he's the enemy."

Rootman, the No. 7 ranked player in the state in the Class of 2027, hopes to carry his momentum from a very sucessful weekend at LakePoint into a strong junior season for Harvard-Westlake and beyond at the University of Texas.

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