If you look at the old system, what you are discribing is how most michigan regionals went. It was nearly impossible for any team that wasn't a powerhouse to even qualify before. On top of that many of those same teams would win the ATL qualifing awards. With the powerhouse team density that there is in michigan you almost need the new system to give everyone else a shot at ATL. My views may be biased, and I cannot speak for the rest of the country, but how many other regions (except california
) have more than a handful of teams in the region that are powerhouses? They are the reason in my opinion that the new system works in Michigan so well are, there is enough of them to evenly distribute amongst the districts and not see the level of play decrease. Without the new structure the smaller teams are at a bigger disadvantage, the same is probably true in many other areas. I personally would love to see the district model extened to other parts of the country, but for michigan to return to the regional structure would break my heart. If they were to do away with it, I hope they keep the point system.
Just a note since some have referenced this, the MSC was run just like any other regional, not a district. (or did you mean that and I misinterpted)