Ironically self-referential or unintentionally self-parodying?

There's no way to tell which the lede to this story in the Times is:

Parents are feeling sticker shock as high-end junior baseball gear becomes as common as expensive test-preparation courses and lavish birthday parties.

Not that I intend to read the story. Nor would it be any less unforgivable if the new york times style sections was self-conscious of the way it constructed the reality it claims to report.