PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – One day before their home opener, a Phillies pep rally was held in Center city.

Phillies fans rallied for the start of the season:

“It’s amazing! There’s a lot of people out here, Phillie Phanatic’s dancing away!”

“Even though you’re not down at the ballpark, it just gives you the atmosphere of what opening day is going to be like.”

(Kuznits) “How much do you think these rallies help the team?”

“I think it helps them quite a lot! I think you know, it just gives Philadelphia faith.”

They say this is the best time of the year.

“People are looking forward to the warm weather, change of scenery, drinking a couple of beers, seeing the new players!”

And what did they think of the “Paint the town red” Phanatic (pictured)?

“I have to say, I like the green Phanatic. I have to go with the classic one, but he doesn’t look that bad in red. I mean, he’s got to change it up once in a while — he’s got his birthday outfit and his other outfits that he wears so if he wants to change it up once in a while, that’s not a problem.”

Reported by Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio 1060