SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Violinist Dick Bright played the national anthem, Hall of Famer Willie Mays threw the ceremonial first pitch to godson Barry Bonds and finally it was time to play ball at the San Francisco Giants' new $320 million waterfront ballpark.

Some 2 1-2 years in the making and the first privately financed major league baseball stadium in 38 years, Pacific Bell Park was inaugurated before a sellout crowd of 40,930 with the Giants 8-3 exhibition win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

``The beauty of this stadium is phenomenal,'' said Bonds, whose line-drive double in the first drove in San Francisco's first run. ``There's always pros and cons with any stadium but this definitely has more pros than cons. I just feel it's an outstanding ballpark and the people love it.''

The grand opening ceremonies began earlier in the day with a public tribute to Mays and the unveiling of a bronze statue of the Hall of Famer in front of the ballpark's main entrance.

``I'm surprised I didn't cry. I didn't have time I guess,'' said Mays, who stuck around to throw out the first pitch and also tossed a ball into the stands. ``This is a joyful day.''

The Giants spent 30 years contending with the cold and wind and sparse crowds at their old stadium on Candlesick Point before moving into their new downtown park. They play one more exhibition Saturday night against the New York Yankees in the teams' first West Coast meeting since Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. San Francisco then returns to PacBell Park on April 11 for its home opener against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

``These two exhibitions are a great way to test drive the ballpark. For everyone and everything, players, staff, fans, everyone,'' Giants executive vice president Larry Baer said.

The new park does have its quirks, especially in right field, which is backed by a 24-foot tall brick wall that includes one sharp angle and five port-holes allowing passersby to peek in on the action.

``Our cheapest ticket is free,'' Baer said.

``You're probably going to see some caroms off that wall you haven't seen before. You're going to see that ball go in all sorts of different directions,'' San Francisco manager Dusty Baker added.

Balls that make it over the right field wall can land in San Francisco Bay and people in the crowd regularly called out ``Put it in the water!'' when the Giants were up.

None made it out of the yard Friday night, though Jeromy Burnitz' run-scoring fly ball drove left fielder Bonds to the wall. San Francisco's Ellis Burks also hit a warning-track drive to left that Geoff Jenkins caught.

Kirk Rueter got the game under way, throwing a strike to Marquis Grissom at 7:40 p.m. PST as hundreds of flash bulbs went off in the stands to record the moment. Two pitches later, Grissom ripped a double to right for the first hit.

San Francisco's first hit of the game came on Marvin Benard's triple leading off the bottom of the first.

``It's exciting to be here,'' said Milwaukee starter Jimmy Haynes. ``I tried to stay laid back as much as possible and make it like any other day. I've been lucky because I've pitched before 40,000 fans before so that didn't bother me. It has a different look than Candlestick. It's windy but not swirling. It doesn't make fly balls do weird stuff. It's a nicer park all-around.''

Indeed, the balmy weather kept fans in short sleeves and fan Mike Kinworthy of San Jose complained with a laugh, ``Hey, it's too hot here.''

Rueter, who hit a go-ahead RBI single in the fourth inning off loser Valerio De Los Santos, said he loved pitching in the new park and its intimate setting.

``I can feel home plate,'' said Rueter, who got the win by allowing three runs and eight hits in five innings. ``There was more space at 3Com but this is great. It was exciting. Any time you have 40,000 people watching you, you can't help but feel charged up and electrified. We're going to have to watch balls hit in the gaps but for the most part it is normal baseball here.''

Added Giants shortstop Rich Aurilia: ``It was a great atmosphere, especially for a preseason game. It can only get better.''