Robbins, 44, who along with his Oscar-winning partner Susan Sarandon has been an outspoken critic of the US-led invasion, said the public slap in the face violated his right to freedom of speech.

Robbins and Sarandon had been invited to attend the 15th anniversary screening of their 1988 baseball movie "Bull Durham" at the Hall of Fame in New York state later this month.

"I was dismayed that the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to use this event to make a political statement," Robbins said in a statement in which was supported by his pal and "Bull Durham" co-star Kevin Costner.

"It is using what power it has to infringe upon my rights of free speech with the hope to intimidate millions of others who disagree with our president," Robbins said in a stinging riposte.

The Hall of Fame's move "dishonors the words 'patriotism' and 'freedom' and disrespects the men and women who have fought wars to keep this nation a place where one can freely express their opinion without fear of reprisal or punishment," he said.

Robbins and Sarandon are among the most visible Hollywood stars to vocally oppose US President George W. Bush's attack on Iraq at a time when media speculation is rife over whether high-profile anti-war activists will be punished by Hollywood for views that some Americans feel are unpatriotic.

The pair have led a clutch of anti-war demonstrations in the United States, and at last month's Oscars ceremony, both wore peace badges and flashed peace signs when arriving at the event.

Robbins received a letter from the Hall of Fame's president, Dale Petroskey, who was on the White House staff during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, stating that his public views on the war represented a danger.

"Public figures have platforms much larger than the average American's, which provides you an extraordinary opportunity to have your views heard -- and an equally large obligation to speak and act responsibly," he wrote.

"We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important -- and sensitive -- time in our nation's history helps undermine the US position, which could put our troops in even more danger."

Kevin Costner came to the couple's defence, saying that freedom of speech was one of the key democratic rights that America battled to ensure.

"I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work," he said. "Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about."

The Baseball Hall of Fame tribute to "Bull Durham" had been scheduled for April 26 and 27 in Cooperstown, New York, and Robbins, Sarandon and the movie's director Ron Shelton were scheduled to speak at the event.

Shelton rallied to support arch-liberal Robbins, branding the Hall of Fame's move "ridiculous."

"Baseball is the great American game of language and dissent -- and 'Bull Durham' is merely a story that tries to connect us," he said in a statement.

US celebrities who oppose the war have come under fire for allegedly failing to support their country.

Some, including Madonna and songstresses the Dixie Chicks, discovered that open criticism of the conflict and the president at a time of fervent US nationalism can carry a hefty price tag.

Madonna earlier this month pulled the US release of a lavish new video rife with anti-war imagery, including a shot of a grenade being lobbed at a Bush look-alike.

The Dixie Chicks suffered a radio boycott of their new record and a sales slump of 40 percent after lead singer and Texas native Natalie Maines said she was "ashamed" to hail from the same state as Bush.

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