Baseball helping Regina boy adjust to new life in Canada

Moving away from home can be tough for any kid, but it can be even tougher when the move is over 9,000 kilometres across the globe.

For eight-year-old Tristan Byeon, a baseball glove and bat is helping make the adjustment to life in Regina a bit easier.

“His friend had a love for baseball,” said his mom, Nicole Lee. “He got to learn about it (from his friend) and started loving it, so he joined the team — ever since that, the whole experience was great.”

Byeon’s family moved to Canada seven months ago from Seoul, South Korea. Things weren’t easy for him at first as he tried to get used to living in an entirely new country.

“When we came to Canada seven months ago, Tristan was struggling with his English and missing his friends from back home — once he broke down and cried and wanted to be with his friends,” Lee said.

Despite Byeon playing hockey back in South Korea, and having a season under his belt in Regina, it was baseball that ended up having a major impact on his life.

“Every single one of (his teammates) are older than Tristan — but still, they treat him very nice,” said Lee. “I think they kind of understand Tristan’s English ability is limited, but they are so welcoming — every single one of them is his friend now.”

Byeon is currently playing on the U-11 Pacers in Regina and has been thoroughly enjoying the season. The joy he has found has led to a major change in his personality and attitude towards his new home, according to his mom.

“Ever since he started playing team sports, he right away started loving life here in Regina and eventually led to love living here in Canada. He still does have difficulties in English, but he’s getting better and it doesn’t drag him down anymore,” she said. “Playing sports is an universal language.”

Lee was surprised to see how quickly her son grew to love baseball since he had never shown an interest in the sport before.

Eight-year-old Tristan Byoen poses with a hockey medal. (Nicole Lee/Submitted)

Since he started playing, Lee said she also unexpectedly grew to love the game.

“I was never a fan of baseball and I wasn’t really happy when Tristan was practising baseball instead of ice hockey, but then now I started to develop (a) love for baseball and enjoying it.”

The family moved to Canada so that their children could have more opportunities and better living conditions, Lee said.

“We wanted to give him a better environment, in terms of better education and environment,” she explained. “Right now, in South Korea there are lots of air quality problems and stuff like that.”

Seeing her children become more comfortable in their new home has brought her joy, she said, knowing they made the right choice when they decided to uproot their family.

“We’re very thankful because as newcomers it’s a big change in our life leaving the country you were born and raised (in), but we do that to give our children better environments so it’s a big decision and a big sacrifice,” she siad. “Seeing our kids loving life in Canada gives us joy, it makes us happy.”