Commas after Introductions
It is common for a sentence to start with an introduction. An introduction can be anything from just one word to a long clause. In general, an introduction is used to state a time, a place, a condition, a frequency or a fact before the main part of the sentence. (Introductions vary hugely.)
Examples:
 In the centre of London, the number of people who fell victim to pickpockets
rose by 30 per cent in a month. 
(sets a place)
In ancient Rome,
it was considered a sign of leadership to be born with a crooked nose.
(sets a time)
As soon as the cake is golden-brown, take it out of the oven.
(sets a time)
From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down,
I was convulsed with laughter. Some day, I intend reading it.
(both set a time)
(Groucho Marx quote)
Yesterday, the manager visited the stables.
(sets a time)
When I was young,
I used to think that money was the most important thing in life. Now that I am old, I know it is.
(both set a time) (Oscar
Wilde quote)
On Tuesday 4th July a band played carols in the park for 8 hours.
("On Tuesday 4th July" sets a time. It is an introduction and should be
followed by a comma.)
Having spoken to John, I can confirm that the meeting is definitely off.
(states a fact)
As you are well aware, the latest figures do not look promising.
(states a fact)
After the secretary had read the minutes of the meeting, the chairman
asked for the financial report.
(sets a time)
A band played in the park for 8 hours on Tuesday 4th July.
("On Tuesday 4th July" sets a time, but it is not an introduction -
it's at the back end of the sentence.)
On Tuesday 4th
July, a band played in the park for 8 hours .
(sets a time)
If you are going through hell, keep going.
(sets a
condition) (Winston Churchill quote)
I'm very proud of my gold pocket watch. My grandfather, on his deathbed, sold me this watch. (Woody Allen)
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ONLY USE A COMMA FOR AN INTRODUCTION
Words that 'set the scene' do not always start the sentence; they could appear at the back or in the middle. You only need a comma when these words appear at the front of the sentence. This is very handy to know. Look the examples below:
 At 4 o'clock, the new manager, David Bain, will visit.
(correct, but too many commas)
The new manager, David Bain, will visit at 4 o'clock.
(correct - much tidier)
Here is an example in the middle of a sentence:
I'm very proud of my gold pocket watch. My grandfather,
on his deathbed, sold me this watch.
(Woody Allen quote)
Commas have been used in the example above, but they were not necessary because
the phrase that sets the scene appears in the middle not at the beginning.
A LOT OF LENIENCY ON THIS RULING
Regardless of where the scene-setting words appear (start, middle or end), there
is some leniency on whether to use a comma or not. The primary purpose of
a comma (or commas) in this instance is to aid your reader. Above all
else, making your text easy to read should determine whether you use a comma or
not.
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