In Order to Catch a Ball, a Baseball Player Extends

In order to catch a ball, a baseball player extends the hand forward before impact with the ball and then lets it ride backward in the direction of the ball's motion .. Doing this reduces the force of impact on the player's hand principally because the

A) relative velocity is less.
B) time of impact is decreased.
C) time of impact is increased.
D) force of impact is reduced.
E) none of these