"The Laughs Begin on Opening Day," an all-star comedy benefit celebrating America’s passion for baseball and food, will launch the 2003 baseball season on Thursday, April 3, at 8:30 PM, at The Ice House, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, California. All proceeds from ticket sales, which are $25.00 per person, will go to support the Baseball Reliquary, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture through the context of baseball history. 
        A "Murderer’s Row" of comedians will step up to the mic and take its swings at the national pastime, performing baseball-related routines, anecdotes, and impersonations. The star-studded roster features comedians who have distinguished themselves for years in stand-up, television, radio, film, and theater, including George Wendt, Fred Willard, Kevin Nealon, Jack Riley, Don Knotts, John Mendoza, Gary Owens, Thom Sharp, Ronnie Schell, Larry Miller, Wayne Federman, Andy Kindler, Ed Driscoll, Tom Tully, Paul Willson, and Gary Anthony Williams. A special highlight of the evening will be a demonstration of the art of peanut tossing by baseball’s legendary "Peanut Man," Roger Owens, who has tossed well over two million bags of peanuts in his 45 years as a vendor at Dodger Stadium. It is expected that several other comedians will be added to the lineup for the April 3 benefit. 
        Tickets for $25.00 (two-drink minimum not included) are now on sale for "The Laughs Begin on Opening Day." Special Gold VIP tickets for $100, which include a Gold VIP card for free admission for one year to all Ice House events plus one-year membership to the Baseball Reliquary, are also available. For reservations, phone The Ice House at (626) 577-1894. For further information, phone the Baseball Reliquary at (626) 791-7647. There is plenty of free street parking in the vicinity of The Ice House, as well as low-cost parking in a multi-story garage on Mentor Avenue directly across the street from the club.