MSC isn't a regional because you have to qualify to get in. In terms of competition itself, yes, it qualifies as a large regional. But in terms of being able to get in, you have to 1) be a Michigan team and 2) compete at at least one District event, more often 2, and then qualify by points. No other regional event does that.
Districts have almost the same argument. Regional competitions are open to ANY FRC team. So, the team from the Philippines could go to BAE or Israel, a Los Angeles team can go to the New Zealand Regional (when it happens), or a San Diego team can go to the L.A. Regional. They could do this instead of their home event, or along with it.
But the MI district events are closed to anybody that isn't from MI.
The difference is slight but real: Regionals don't have qualifications other than $$$$, Districts have $$$$ and geographic location, MSC has $$$, location, and point scores.
Hey, MSC is tougher to get into than the World Championship. You can open-register for the Championship. Can't do that for MSC. You can qualify for the Championship. You have to for MSC. See the difference?
Competition-wise, yeah, they're pretty much the same. But when you artificially restrict teams from entering, that changes a lot of things. You block out other nearby teams that would otherwise come in and quite possibly raise (or lower) the competition level.
And for nikeairmancurry: You offering to pay my way (or the way of anyone else who wants to come) to MSC next year?
Because I don't know about you, but I'm a little short on a lot of things for the forseeable future... like money and time... Maybe someday I'll make it.