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I think it's sad that topics like this one are addressed this way, but, on the other hand, I can understand it.
I don't officiate; I'm still in high school and I play. I have played and watched hundreds of games, and everyone knows that officials are often - nearly always - criticized. It's usually wrong and unfair. I know officials and looking at it from their perspective, one can understand what kind of job this is.
As for the original question: I don't think anyone can expect world-class officiating in 4th grade games. When I was in the 4th grade, the officials were all 17- or 18-year old volunteers. We didn't complain. Kids want a court, a coach, teammates, and a ref to go ahead and play basketball.
However, I think it's unfair to minimize a 4th grade game. Most of the posters here officiate high school and college games, which are obviously considered more important. The difference is that a college game appeals more to fans; but when you are 9 years old, there is nothing more important than that game. Sure, you will get young and inexperienced refs in 4th grade games, but they should still give it their best, for the kids' sake.
I also have very rarely - probably never - seen a "one-sided" game. Most of the time, officials who are officiating a poor game are doing so in general. From my point of view I don't see what a referee could personally gain from favoring either team, at least at a 4th grade level.
The key, however, to all of this is that although I have found this to be a very insightful community, it is too often marked by officials who are just being jerks because they're tired of hearing complaints. I know it sucks to be criticized all the time, especially when it's criticism from uninformed parties, but there's nothing to gain in being jerks.
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