Reply #29: It's an indication of interest

[Ravenseye]

The fact is that when professional leagues exist it's because there are enough amateurs present to not only populate the league, but make it initially popular enough to have a league itself. The existance of professional leagues indicates interest in a sport which is nearly always reflected at an amateur level.

The fact is that more people around the world play Baseball on an amateur level than they do field hockey. On the streets of the Dominican Republic they're playing Baseball not Field Hockey. In a park in Japan they're playing Baseball not field hockey. In the U.S., Canada, Mexico, The Caribean it is a primary game. In many parts of the world it has the same level of attention and amateur players as Field Hockey.

You could say the same thing about a number of 'traditional' sports.

The fact is that if it's not a European sport it's not considered good enough to be in the Olympics.