I think the relationship between the increases is more of a back and forth than you're suggesting. Many businesses bump their prices because they see their expenses going up and they hope the customers won't revolt.
The real question, though, is how baseball revenue and expenses can continue to increase at a rate far in excess of the growth of the economy in general. It suggests an irrational market. And that's what it has become for the average citizen - a very irrational economic decision to take your family to a game.