SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Luis Pujols stepped up to the plate, called his shot and brought the Pan American Games to a sizzling start.

The nephew of the San Francisco Giants coach of the same name, dressed in a Dominican baseball uniform, swung a bat at a baseball sitting atop a mini-flame in the field at the Olympic Stadium. That triggered a wire extending across the stadium to the games cauldron, which then ignited to resounding cheers.

Moments earlier, Juan Marichal, the only Dominican in the Baseball Hall of Fame, lit the smaller cauldron. Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez had handed the torch to Marichal.

The trio represented the past, present and future of Dominican athletics.

"This was a matter of pride for me," said the Red Sox ace, who was greeted with rousing chants of "PED-RO, PED-RO." "How could I not do this for my country?"

His country has undertaken a massive challenge, spending $175 million already, with projections for the total expense reaching as high as $300 million. If the colorful, entertaining opening ceremony is a fair indication, the Pan Ams should be a success.

The competition began Saturday morning, with Cuba's women beating the United States 84-62 in basketball.

The first medals of the games were awarded in women's air rifle, with Cuba's Eglis Cruz taking the gold over Melissa Mulloy of Middleton, Mass.

Also scheduled Saturday were shooting, field hockey, Greco-Roman wrestling, fencing and team handball. The U.S. men's basketball team was to face Argentina in a night game.

For the first night, at least, the festivities seemed to erase questions about the quality of venues. U.S. team chief Roland Betts, who has worked since 1999 with the Dominican government in the planning of the games, is impressed by what he has seen.

"At times it has been a great struggle, but we are very excited and proud to see the venues," Betts said. "And I believe these venues are as good as or better than any that have been created for the Pan American Games."

The main venue, 18,000-seat Olympic Stadium, was nearly full for the opening, which was attended by Dominican Republic President Hipolito Mejia, Pan American Sports Organization president Mario Vasquez Rana and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who walked through the stands surrounded by a large security contingent and a small entourage.

Entertainers in colorful costumes ranging from skeletons to men in tuxedoes and top hats danced through the field, typifying a Dominican carnival. Festive music symbolizing all the nations of the Western Hemisphere played through the ceremony.

"It's the best day of my life," said Elias Parra, 13, who attended with his best friend, Melbi Jil, 12. "We've never had this event in my country."

He soon joined his countrymen in a loud, standing ovation as the Dominican athletes walked into the stadium.

But there were problems Friday, too.

When the U.S. men's basketball team returned to the athletes' village after a scrimmage, they discovered the water was not working and no showers were available.

"We're a smelly bunch," assistant coach Lorenzo Romar said.

About four miles from the sports complex, police used tear gas to break up a march by hundreds of Dominicans protesting their government's economic policies. No serious injuries were reported, though some marchers were affected by the tear gas.

The Rev. Rogelio Cruz, who helped organize the march, criticized the police response as excessive. He said the march was called to protest new austerity measures, including import taxes and spending cuts.

"The march -- with men, women and children -- wasn't against the Pan American Games, but was to call attention to the way in which impoverished areas have been neglected," Cruz said.

Police said march organizers had not obtained required permission from authorities.