EXCLUSIVE

"Sandlot" star Tom Guiry (who played Smalls in the movie) has taken the name "Colossus of Clout" to a new level -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ. He was arrested for headbutting a cop ... after trying to kick him in the face.

The story is crazy. We're told Guiry was at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston over the weekend when a United Airlines employee concluded he was too drunk to fly.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the employee contacted an airport cop, who approached Guiry and gave him two options: a public intoxication arrest, or the drunk tank.

Guiry then made a terrible mistake -- allegedly becoming belligerent and verbally abusive ... and even threatening the officer. Guiry then allegedly tried kicking the cop in the face and then scored a headbutt.

Guiry was taken down and cuffed ... and booked for felony assault on a police officer. We're told the officer's injuries were minor.

Guiry posted $5,000 bail and was released.