March 29, 2005 Comedy in the Outfield It's starting to happen. Your girlfriend is talking about a diamond and you're seeing bases. The newspaper boy throws the paper and it happens to fall right into your outstretched mitt. You find yourself craving shelled peanuts. And Dodger Dogs. How much longer do you have to wait for baseball season? Not long. Opening Day is this Sunday but if you've got a bad case of baseball on the brain, you can get your fix tonight at the at The Improv in Hollywood. The show is the "Baseball Comedy Benefit" and proceeds go to the Baseball Reliquary, "a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving American art and culture through baseball history." Whether you know the Reliquary or not, if you like baseball and you like stand-up comedy, this is the show for you since all the routines relate to the sport. George Wendt, who played "Norm" on Cheers will be performing, along with Fred Willard, Jack Riley, Ronnie Schell, Greg Proops, Dom Irrera, John Caponera, John Mendoza, Andy Kindler, Wayne Federman, Tom Tully, and others. And if none of the other names rings a bell don't let that stop you from going. The Improv is a trustworthy venue for an evening of chuckles -- and it's all about baseball, after all. Tickets are $25 plus a two-drink minimum. The show starts at 8:00pm but you can sit for dinner beforehand as early as 6:00. With Congress holding hearings over doping within the Major League, fans of the sport could use a laugh. Baseball Comedy Benefit 8:00pm Hollywood Improv 8162 Melrose Avenue Tel: 323.651.2583